Long-time Formula 3 team Double R joins Euroformula Open for 2018
British Formula 3 specialist Double R Racing is to expand into the Euroformula Open series for 2018
The move means that the Woking-based team returns to its roots by racing contemporary F3 chassis for the first time since the 2016 Macau Grand Prix.
Double R was a mainstay of the British F3 Championship from its inception in 2005, and then ran in the FIA F3 European Championship before pulling out for '16, when it was unable to attract drivers amid a downturn in grid sizes.
At the same time, the team moved into the new BRDC British F3 Championship, winning the inaugural title with Matheus Leist in 2016; it also fields cars in British Formula 4.
Double R boss Anthony 'Boyo' Hieatt views Euroformula - which uses the current F3 Dallara with spec Toyota engines - as the perfect category, especially with FIA F3 only existing in its current form for one more season before it is replaced by a new one-make International F3 in 2019.
"In my view, Euroformula Open is going to be the premier single-seater series in Europe for young drivers," said Hieatt, who will field a two-car line-up.
"It's one of the only places you can now drive a top-spec F3 car, and with the future demise of FIA F3 [in its existing form] this championship is the perfect fit for Double R to add to our commitments in BRDC British F3 and British F4."
Jesus Pareja, boss of Euroformula promoter GT Sport, has already confirmed that he will keep the same concept beyond 2018 despite the FIA's push for its new Regional F3 plan.
His series is widely expected to flourish, and Double R joins British teams including Carlin and Fortec Motorsport in having squads in the category.
"Euroformula races on some fabulous circuits, it has very stable organisation and the calendar provides some great track time for the drivers with sensible budgets," said Hieatt.
"We're really looking forward to being part of the championship and working with GT Sport - it's going to be fantastic to be racing with our Dallaras in Europe again."
Double R will run two brand-new Dallara chassis in Euroformula, and will retain its FIA-spec cars in case any opportunity arises to return to the European championship.
The team tested Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum and BRDC British F3 champion Enaam Ahmed in its FIA F3 cars at Zandvoort this week so that both could learn the circuit.
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