British F3 to visit Portugal

The Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series is to visit Portugal for the first time in its history, it is announced today (1 Apr). The championship will make its call to the new Autodr¢mo Internacional do Algarve, near Portimão, in mid-September.

The Portuguese races will replace those previously scheduled for the Bucharest street track in August. A late date switch of the latter event proved too inconvenient, as Alistair Spence, from series promoter SRO Motorsports Group, explains: "The original Bucharest date was ideal for us, but the Romanian event organizers had to bring it forward and it became logistically difficult for the teams. We were happy to explore other opportunities and we are more than delighted with the outcome."

Two British F3 races – rounds 17 and 18 of the 20-event calendar – are scheduled for the 2.9-mile Algarve track; they will support rounds of the FIA GT3 Championship.

Cooper Tires British F3: revised provisional calendar
11 & 13 Apr, Oulton Park Int
25/26 Apr, Donington Park Nat
2/3 May, Silverstone GP
30/31 May, Rockingham
6/7 Jun, Hockenheim
4/5 Jul, Snetterton
24/25 Jul, Spa-Francorchamps
15/16 Aug, Silverstone Int
12/13 Sep, Algarve
19/20 Sep, Brands Hatch GP