GP3 Series, Formula 3 May Merge In ’19

Finally some common sense – a consolidation in motorsports

The GP3 Series and the FIA’s Formula 3 European Championship "could effectively merge" for '19, according to Marcus Simmons of MOTORSPORT.

The GP2 Series’ rebranding as the FIA Formula 2 Championship means that the existing GP3 Series "holds an apparently incongruous position" on the grand prix support bill beneath Formula 1 and F2 — and in "direct competition to the FIA’s DTM-supporting F3 series."

GP3’s existing contracts are understood to be in place until the end of '18, "leaving the FIA Single Seater Commission time to discuss a way to rationalize the third level of the single-seater ladder."

Sources have "strongly refuted" rumors that GP2/GP3 CEO Bruno Michel — who will stay on in charge of the F2 championship — "allowed GP2’s rebranding as a trade-off for the FIA axing the existing F3 European Championship in the future."

A merger "could pave the way for a second-tier F3 championship run to FIA rules in Europe," MOTORSPORT