British Formula 3 slashes 2013 calendar to four events
After careful review and taking in to consideration the difficulties faced by teams in attracting budgeted drivers, a new calendar for the series will feature 12 races at four key events in 2013.
The extended FIA European F3 Championship has absorbed the commercial resources for teams heading in to 2013. This leaves the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series facing a difficult and uncertain future.
Therefore the amended calendar for 2013 has been designed with the full approval of the teams that are already committed to the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series. They, along with SRO and all partners involved stress that this move is a necessary step to safeguard the health and future prospects of the series and to protect its rich 62 year heritage and image as an essential step to Formula One.
Three of the four events are on current F1 tracks and will feature live television coverage. The final dates are:
2013 British F3 calendar
| 25-26 May | Silverstone |
| 25-27 July | Spa-Francorchamps |
| 10-11 August | Brands Hatch |
| 21-22 September | Nurburgring |
None of the above weekends clash with FIA European F3 dates while also respecting the exclusion for FIA F3 teams to race on a Championship circuit prior to the FIA event.
The new-shape series will run to the weekend format that the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series has followed in recent years. The four key events this season will be open to cars from F3 Open and German F3 Cup, which can enter as part of the National Trophy.
Offering this reduced program to teams and prospective drivers is designed to enable the best cars and teams to uphold the ethos of British F3.