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New Formula 3 plan could stop British and German F3 series

Teams from British and German Formula 3 are weighing up a new way of merging for 2015 that could mean neither championship continues

Teams from the two series met at July's Masters of F3 at Zandvoort and agreed that a joint calendar comprising eight events - consisting of a four-round British F3 and a four-round German F3 - was the best option for 2015.

Then the German F3 organisers vetoed that move, although teams from both series continued to discuss a common path forwards.

A document seen by AUTOSPORT indicates that, if the two series do not merge to form one calendar, a new European series could be set up to act as a feeder to the FIA's F3 European Championship.

This would mean no British F3 Championship in 2015, and possibly no German F3 Cup.

The European series would be for six to eight rounds on as many Formula 1 circuits as possible, allowing current European F3-spec cars as well as the older-engined machines from British and German F3.

The preference would be for a tyre deal with Hankook, to better prepare drivers for the F3 European Championship, which also uses the South Korean rubber.

AUTOSPORT understands that German F3 Cup teams Motopark, Van Amersfoort Racing and ADM Motorsport are keen to race with British-based squads such as Fortec Motorsport, Double R Racing, Performance Racing and Carlin.

Peter Briggs, who represents the British F3 teams' group FOTA, said: "If they're not willing to merge, neither championship will survive.

"The idea is for a stepping stone to European F3, running with cars that are as close as possible to the next step up."

Motopark boss Timo Rumpfkeil said: "Neither championship has enough cars, and I quite fancied the idea of having four rounds British and four rounds German - 15 or 16 cars on the grid would have been nice.

"But the Germans were a bit stubborn to commit and it's a difficult situation.

"The seven or eight-round European series is obviously of interest but it's a bit early for us."

Some figures in F3 were keen to stress that this could be seen as a temporary measure, with the possibility of re-establishing national series if or when the marketplace improves.

AUTOSPORT understands that the FIA has called a meeting of the promoters of national F3 in Paris, to be held some time this month.

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