The 2019 Formula 2 and Formula 3 calendars have been confirmed by the FIA. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming seasons of F1’s feeder series!
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The calendars for F2 and the all-new F3 series were announced earlier this month. F2 will be on the support bill at 12 rounds in 2019 with F3 joining the support bill at 8 of those events across Europe. The F2 season begins in Bahrain in March, while the F3 season will get underway at May’s Spanish Grand Prix.
For a second year running, the German Grand Prix will be the only European race to not feature either of F1’s main support series on the schedule. The F2 calendar is largely similar to last year, with 12 rounds – 8 in Europe, and 4 fly-away events. There’ll be a two month gap between the Russian round and the season-ending Abu Dhabi weekend. Meanwhile, the F3 series begins in May at the Spanish Grand Prix and concludes at September’s Russian Grand Prix, following the same schedule as last year, aside from omitting the Abu Dhabi round. Autosport suggests that the F3 calendar ends earlier to allow the Macau Grand Prix to run to the new FIA F3 regulations.
Here are the full 2019 calendars. Each F2 and F3 event features a race on Saturday (a Feature Race) and a shorter Sunday race (a Sprint Race):
2019 F2 & F3 Calendars
| 2019 Formula 2 calendar | 2019 Formula 3 calendar |
|---|---|
| Mar 29 – 31, Bahrain, (Sakhir) | |
| Apr 26 – 28, Azerbaijan (Baku City Circuit) | |
| May 10 – 12, Spain (Circuit de Barcelona) | May 10 – 12, Spain (Circuit de Barcelona) |
| May 23 – 25, Monaco (Circuit de Monaco) | |
| June 21 – 23, France (Le Castellet) | June 21 – 23, France (Le Castellet) |
| June 28 – 30, Austria (Red Bull Ring) | June 28 – 30, Austria (Red Bull Ring) |
| July 12 – 14, Britain (Silverstone) | July 12 – 14, Britain (Silverstone) |
| August 2 – 4, Hungary (Hungaroring) | August 2 – 4, Hungary (Hungaroring) |
| Aug 30 – Sep 1, Belgium (Spa) | Aug 30 – Sep 1, Belgium (Spa) |
| September 6 – 8, Italy (Monza) | September 6 – 8, Italy (Monza) |
| September 27 – 29, Russia (Sochi) | September 27 – 29, Russia (Sochi) |
| Nov 29 – Dec 1, Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) |
Formula 2 has been F1’s main support series since 2005, when it was known as the GP2 Series. GP2 was re-titled as Formula 2 for 2017. One of the major talking points for 2019 will be the arrival of Mick Schumacher, son of the seven-time F1 champion and the reigning European F3 champion. He’ll be racing for the Prema team, who led Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc to title success in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The support series has a long history of providing future F1 drivers. All of the top three drivers from the 2018 F2 Championship – George Russell, Lando Norris and Alexander Albon – have made the step up to Formula 1 for 2019.Meanwhile, GP3 becomes F3 for 2019. The series not only replaces GP3, but also replaces the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, which itself will become known as ‘Formula European Masters’, fulfilling its usual slot on the DTM support bill. The all-new F3 championship will have a brand new chassis, designed by Dallara. The grid will be made up of ten teams with three drivers each. Major rule changes from GP3 to F3 include the introduction of the halo head protection device and the introduction of unlimited DRS usage. Previously, drivers could use DRS only six times per race in the first race and four times in the second race. They’ll now be able to use the overtaking assist whenever they’re within one second of the car in front.
Pre-season testing for F2 takes place at the Jerez circuit from February 26-28 and at Catalunya from March 5-7. Meanwhile, the F3 series has been testing the new car before delivering it to teams this month, in order to ensure that it is reliable and performs as expected. Each team will be permitted to run one car each at a shake-down test in February.
