The 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship gets underway this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, for Round 1.

WHEN TO WATCH All times local (GMT +1)

Friday Free Practice: 10:05 – 10:50 Qualifying: 13:35 – 14:05 Press conference: 16:30

Saturday Race 1: 10:35 (22 laps) Press conference: 11:40 Race 2: 16:45 (22 laps) Press conference: 17:50

Sunday Race 3: 12:05 (22 laps) Press conference: 13:10

THE STORY SO FAR

The 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship officially gets under way tomorrow at the Circuit de Barcelona- Catalunya, Spain. This year marks the third exciting season for the junior category, which returns to action with a brand-new three-race weekend format, a reinvigorated seven-round calendar, and 30 talented young drivers all eager for Championship glory.

It’s been an eventful six months since Oscar Piastri clinched the 2020 Championship title in a nail-biting battle down to the wire in the closing round at Mugello. The Alpine protégé’s sensational rookie season earned him a swift, richly deserved promotion to Formula 2 with PREMA Racing. Since then, seven other Formula 3 graduates have made the step-up to the top tier of junior motorsport, including 2020 Vice-Champion Théo Pourchaire, making way for some exciting new faces who are just beginning their journey on the Road to F1.

Arthur Leclerc is Ferraris latest junior hopeful
Arthur Leclerc is Ferrari's latest junior hopeful

The lead-up to pre-season testing saw a wave of driver announcements and plenty of seat-switching with just two drivers, Alexander Smolyar and Calan Williams, staying in their 2020 car. An astounding 18 newcomers will line up on the starting grid for Round 1 in Barcelona, and three teams, MP Motorsport, Campos Racing and Carlin Buzz Racing, head into the new season with all-rookie line-ups.

With newcomers beating circuit records and topping the timesheets, pre-season testing at Spielberg and Barcelona offered an exciting insight into what to expect of the 2021 season, and while every season so far has been unique, one thing is for certain: F3 is never short on drama or surprises!

THE CHALLENGERS

Just seven rounds stand between one of this year’s 30 talented young drivers and the Championship title, but with two brand-new venues and a third race added to the weekend schedule, there’s little doubt that an action-packed season is on the cards.

This year’s line-up unites familiar faces from last season with new drivers making the step-up from Formula Regional and Formula 4 series across the globe. The 2021 grid is also the most youthful cohort of drivers to date, with an average age of just 18.6 years old. Almost a third of the 2021 grid also have links to F1 teams, including no fewer than five Red Bull Juniors and two Alpine Academy Members.

Novalak has switched from Carlin Buzz to Trident
Novalak has switched from Carlin Buzz to Trident

Expectations for the 2021 season were set high at the opening pre-season tests at the Red Bull Ring and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. MP Motorsport’s Caio Collet finished as the fastest driver of the two days in the Austrian hills, beating his nearest rival by nearly two tenths. In fact, four drivers set new Formula 3 lap records at the circuit. Meanwhile, in Barcelona 22 drivers all finished within a second of the quickest man around the track, Victor Martins (MP).

FROM THE GRID – FREDERIK VESTI (ART GRAND PRIX)

“It’s been an exciting start to the season as I have switched to ART Grand Prix for 2021. It’s a new team, new people and a new car to learn. I had to put in a lot of work during meetings, in the simulator and during the tests. Learning everything in a short time frame was both exciting and challenging. I feel very well prepared for the start of the season.”

“Barcelona is a great track; most drivers would love the chance to drive here. There is lots of different types of corner, and you have sections that are unique to this track. The last sector is challenging, but you also have the slow speed corners combined with some fast ones which are great. The only downside is that it’s a little difficult to pass cars in front. I think the key area for overtaking is definitely going to be Turn 1.”

“The new weekend format is really exciting, but it’s also going to be a challenge. If you take pole position you get a setback in Race 1, but we need to remember that the weekend is long and that your best race will probably come on Sunday when you start on Pole. Overall, I think it’s good for the Championship and it’s good for the people watching at home!”

Frederik Vesti is the first Mercedes junior on the Road to F1 since George Russell
Frederik Vesti is the first Mercedes junior on the Road to F1 since George Russell

“Tyre management is also going to be crucial this weekend, especially if the weather is hot. Everyone on the grid is facing the same challenge, so it’s going to be crucial to understand the tyres from the start of the race.”

“Heading into Round 1, our goal is to start out being fast and consistent, both in Practice and in Qualifying. In the Races, it’s also going to be all about consistency to make sure we stay on the track, get the laps in, and ultimately score some good points!”

TYRE TALK – MARIO ISOLA (PIRELLI’S HEAD OF F1 AND CAR RACING)

Mario Isola, Pirelli Head of F1 and Car Racing: “With the increase to three races per weekend, each Formula 3 driver will now have five sets of slick tyres available rather than four. For Barcelona, the P Zero White hard compound is nominated. This is the same nomination as in previous years and is selected to handle the significant demands placed on the tyres by the many high-speed corners, and in particular the Turn 3 right-hander. Still, with the possibility for warm weather, we expect drivers will need to demonstrate a degree of tyre management during the races: an important skill for them to learn on the road to Formula 1.”

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STAT PACK

  • Logan Sargeant is the highest-placed driver returning from last year’s championship, having finished third in the standings in 2020.
  • 18 rookies are lining up on the grid in 2021, with all-rookie teams at MP Motorsport, Campos Racing and Carlin Buzz Racing.
  • Trident is the only team on the grid not to feature a rookie in its trio of drivers for this season.
  • Just one driver has completed two full seasons in Formula 3: Logan Sargeant.
  • The 2021 grid features six Formula 3 podium sitters. Collectively they have claimed 15 podiums.
  • It also features two F3 race winners: Frederik Vesti, who has won three races, and Logan Sargeant, who has won two.
  • "The F3 record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya under the new circuit configuration is 1:31.636, set by Victor Martins with MP Motorsport in at pre-season testing in 2021."Just one race has been won by the polesitter at the track since the beginning of FIA Formula 3 Robert Shwartzman claimed his maiden win with PREMA Racing after starting P1 in the opening round at the circuit in 2019.
  • Two drivers in the 2021 field have previously stood on the podium in Barcelona: Logan Sargeant took 3rd in Race 1 and Matteo Nannini In Race 2 at the circuit last year.