2014 British F3 Silly Season

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

As somebody (not from Fortec) said earlier, the older cars will be faster at some circuits, whilst the newer ones will be faster at others. They will have to try and do a TOCA balancing act, no doubt with some teams and drivers getting annoyed.

Originally Posted by p-matt

They aren't hugely encouraging names to be fair.

Well, Latifi seems to be a very raw package - with some refinement and experience, he could do very well. Hughes also shows plenty of promise. Other than that, it's not looking brilliant. But who knows. Charlie Robertson and Seb Morris could move to the series over a move to Europe, and some current lower-level European drivers could move to the series.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

As somebody (not from Fortec) said earlier, the older cars will be faster at some circuits, whilst the newer ones will be faster at others. They will have to try and do a TOCA balancing act, no doubt with some teams and drivers getting annoyed.
.

So those with the budget in place all the way to a Marussia F1 drive will invest in 2 cars depending on which circuit they are at !

[EastonNeston]

That's taking cynicism to the "Max", your need to "Chil" out :-)

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

West-Tec looking at Euro F3. Maybe British F3 will keep a grid of just over 10 cars. It would be nice to see some BRDC F4 teams move up. Lanan Racing maybe? They know what it takes...

[jobdone]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

West-Tec looking at Euro F3. Maybe British F3 will keep a grid of just over 10 cars. It would be nice to see some BRDC F4 teams move up. Lanan Racing maybe? They know what it takes...

It would be a logical move, at least it would mean drivers racing for those teams in a lower category could move up with the same squad to the next level.

I really hope British F3 is back to strength next year, and I hope the cost cutting measures are successful.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by jobdone

I really hope British F3 is back to strength next year, and I hope the cost cutting measures are successful.

We all do, but it's whether the teams want to do it. But it costs the same as FR Eurocup with the new measures, but uses bigger cars.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111636

Falcon Motorsport eyeing a 2-car entry...

...Harrison Scott could be a push, and with Jake Hughes looking for FR NEC in 2014, who knows?

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Martin Cao confirmed at Fortec. Testing for the team were Mitchell Gilbert and Tatiana Calderon.

Expect British F3 to turn into a lower tier AutoGP, with a bunch of average drivers...

[ptclaus98]

Didn't realize how much money Calderon has.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

With British F3 drivers being allowed to run for the McLaren BRDC Autosport Young Driver award thing, this could pull some decent British talents into the series, but I'll stand by my AutoGp statement...

[peebee2]

Seems Fortec have 2 and Carlin have 1 driver and a few claiming interest but difficuly to see a grid of more than approx. 6 right now

[edenrace]

PeeBee you have no idea. Why do people have to knock everything. Get a life.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

I can see a grid of around 15 cars with about 3 exciting talents, 6 decent drivers who could do a good job, and then another 6 average pay drivers.

It seems that despite in my eyes some great pull factors, British F3 won't be back for a while...

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111940

Well, Sam MacLeod could end up at Fortec, whilst Falcon Motorsport look like they'll run Andy Chang, who'll be a pay driver...

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

It seems that despite in my eyes some great pull factors, British F3 won't be back for a while

Maybe, but I think the point worth noting is that only nine drivers competed I all of this year's F3 championship, with only 13 racing in the last round at the Nurburgring. From this the fact that there is still a British based championship with a reasonable number of cars (which 15 is my view, given the prevailing economic circumstances) is quite a positive.

[edenrace]

All of the drivers are pay drivers....how does a team run otherwise?

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Well, less so than Maldonado, because the season costs ~£200,000 and the team will pay for some of that. It's similar to FR Eurocup...

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Just noticed in British F3's article on the signing of Martin Cao.

The team will test Gilbert and Calderon again next week at Barcelona, along with Briton Matt Rao, who is another graduate of Formula Renault BARC and is aiming for British F3 in 2014.

Seems like we'll see even more average drivers than I first thought...

[JohnMiller]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

the season costs ~£200,000 and the team will pay for some of that. It's similar to FR Eurocup...

Hilarious

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by kipper

Maybe, but I think the point worth noting is that only nine drivers competed I all of this year's F3 championship, with only 13 racing in the last round at the Nurburgring. From this the fact that there is still a British based championship with a reasonable number of cars (which 15 is my view, given the prevailing economic circumstances) is quite a positive.

Yes, that wouldn't be too shabby, we've seen similar depths of entries in the past in what turned out to be classic seasons for the series!

[brakedisc]

Originally Posted by JohnMiller

Hilarious

Go on John tell us how much you are asking.

The whole F3 thing has turned into a joke and the number one comedian on the bill is the FIA.

[edenrace]

Prices I have heard for the season plus 5/6 extra test days over the 7 official
With older 308 chassis £250,000 to £300,000
With the latest 312 £320,000 to £360,000

FIA F3 £500,000+
Renault NEC with 7 events £240,000
Renault Eurocup 7 events £285,000
British F3 with brilliant chassis and proper race engines is very good value

[JohnMiller]

And F3 Open with 10 events (2 Winter Series and 8 Main Series) plus 19 more test days £330,000 approx.

Brakedisc, it's hilarious that people might describe an F3 driver as a "pay driver."

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Not to mention powerhouses Fortec and Carlin are running teams in the series.

Imo this would be a very attractive prospect as a young driver, especially if you're vaguely talented, because you could well be champion looking at how things are heading!

The only "downside" is the lack of high grade circuits, but when Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park all have international series' heading to them, it's not that bad, and the support slot on the Spa 24 Hours weekend is just another pull.

And why wouldn't you want to race around Thruxton in one of these things?!

Of course in an ideal world Brit F3 and FR Eurocup would be competing against each other (not to mention F3 Open or German F3) and be boasting grids of 20+ with 5 big talents each, but here we are...

[kipper]

Matt Rao will drive for Fortec; whilst Andy Chang has signed for Double R. Dan Cammish may yet drive for JTR.