No complacency from Dallara

Dallara had little opposition in 2001 and its chassis dominated the key Formula 3 championships across Europe and in Japan. However, the Italian manufacturer is determined not to let its guard down and has penned a radical design for next year, which was unveiled in Italy last Friday.

"We prefer to be worried," said Dallara's F3 support engineer Jos Claes. "There is the possibility of competition coming in every day, so we keep ourselves busy in the wind tunnel. All of our departments are working as if we have some major competition."

Dallara has already taken 64 orders for next year's car, which despite being on show for the first time last Thursday, ran earlier in the week with top British F3 team Manor Motorsport, in Spain.

The most noticeable difference with the new car are the dramatically shorter sidepods. A change in the regulations means lateral chassis strength has been increased, allowing the sidepods to be reduced in length. A sequential gearchange will also be allowed in F3 next year and the F302 sports a six-speed unit designed by Dallara and Hewland.

"Like always, the biggest changes are with the aerodynamics," said Claes. We have eight percent more downforce with the same drag on the new car. Under the driver's knees the bulkhead is higher, but then it comes down again and the nose is quite a bit lower."

British manufacturer Ralt is due to return to British Formula 3 next year, which means Dallara will have some competition for the first time in almost seven years, but Claes is not worried.

"The car they [Ralt] built a few years ago was not quick enough," said Claes. "But maybe they know why. We will have to wait and see."