Formula 3 Euro Series announces 2011 race calendar

The race calendar for the Formula 3 Euro Series was finalized by the two motorsport federations DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund e.V.) and FFSA (Fédération Francaise du Sport Automobile) in accordance with the ITR e.V.: in 2011, the ambitious young drivers will be battling for fast lap times and points in a total of ten race weekends. Nine out of ten race tracks have been determined already, negotiations concerning the venue for the tenth event are about to be concluded. Next year again, the races of the Formula 3 Euro Series will be supporting the popular race series DTM and Le Mans Series. In Germany, Hockenheimring, Norisring and Nürburgring will host the Formula 1 stars of tomorrow. Further races are taking place in France, The Netherlands, Austria, Great Britain and Spain.

The calendar at a glance***

* supporting the Le Mans Series
** supporting the DTM
*** negotiations with an additional tenth venue are ongoing

Together with the planning for the calendar, the basic requirements for the sporting orientation of the events were also agreed upon.

During the race weekends, two pre-event tests of 60 minutes each and a 30 minutes' qualifying will be held on Fridays. On Saturday, the first race of 40 minutes will take place first. The starting order for this race is based on the second-fastest lap times achieved by each driver in qualifying. Later, a second race of 20 minutes will follow. The starting grid for this race will be based on the race result of the first race, with reversed grid positions for the first eight drivers. The third race of the weekend will be held on Sunday. Here, the actual qualifying result from Friday will be the basis for the starting grid positions.

In the 2011 season, the successful Euro Series drivers will be rewarded with numerous support projects: at the end of the season, the first three drivers will get a Formula Renault 3.5 test drive. The most successful rookie driver can look forward to a financial support of 50,000 Euros for his second Formula 3 Euro Series season. The two best-placed Mercedes-Benz drivers and the two best-placed Volkswagen drivers will get a DTM test with an Audi or a Mercedes-Benz respectively. For the most successful drivers, a Formula 1 test program organized by Mercedes GP and Red Bull Racing will also be available.

Next to the sporting development of the series, the focus was also on optimizing the cost-efficiency. Next season, engines and exhaust systems will be kept at the current level and may not be developed any further. Series' partner KUMHO is developing a new control tire in order to ensure equal chances for potential new entrants.

In the 2011 season, the Euro Series teams will again have various possibilities for testing. Ten pre-event tests on all the ten race weekends will be added to the series' six official test days. Moreover, every team can use six private test days and can test new rookie drivers on six additional days during the second half of the year.