What's wrong with F3000

[Ed-f1]

I was looking at the history of some of the junior categories in the Autosport 50th anniversary issue and I was slightly surprised to discover that no Formula 3000 champion or formerly European F2 champion has ever gone on to become a formula 1 world champion. In fact since F3000 started in 1985, the 15 champions have gone on to win collectively only 2 races by my calculations (Panis and Alesi). In contrast, the British F3 champions include the multiple world champions Hakkinen, Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jackie Stewart. Is this a situation that is going to change in the near future? Is there something inherently wrong with F3000? Or is it just that the top F1 team bosses have never given them a chance?

[angst]

I personally think its the whole spec car thing. Part of the job of an F1 driver is the development of the car. F3000 offers no training or testing ground for this particular skill (setting up is not the same as developing).
Also because the cars are so similar the opportunities for racing are limited as well.

[marcus]

interesting ..and i must say I havent really thought of that before about them not winning in F1..to that list you could add Moreno winning a champcar race ..but then that only makes 3..dont know why but angst's theory sounds pretty good to me..but i like the series and think it is a good training ground for future drivers but then when you sit down and look at the facts none of what i just said is true