Toro Rosso's Kvyat: F3/GP3 merger could be 'perfect combination'
Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat believes merging European Formula 3 and GP3 into one series would be "the perfect combination" if it harnessed the benefits of both categories


The future of F3 and GP3 is one of the FIA's key single-seater discussions, with only one series likely to survive.
F3 is almost certain to join F1 and Formula 2 at grand prix events, taking GP3's slot, most likely by 2019.
There are discussions over whether F3 could head down a single-chassis, single-engine route, or that GP3 could simply take F3's name.
"I think the perfect combination is somewhere in between," said Kvyat, who dovetailed his 2013 GP3 title-winning campaign with a race-winning bit-part European F3 season.

"Formula 3 is a very high downforce car with not enough power for it, so you learn to drive a power limited car.
"It forces you to be extremely precise with your driving, which is great experience.
"Talking directly about F1 preparation, GP3 is a bit closer.
"You need to be very careful with tyre management - it's not great for young drivers but it's very important here in F1."
WEHRLEIN: DTM OR F1 LINK KEY FOR YOUNG DRIVERS
DTM chairman Gerhard Berger is prepared to revive the Formula 3 Euro Series - the forerunner of the FIA's F3 European Championship - as a DTM support if the FIA heads down the one-make route on the F1 package.
Pascal Wehrlein won the DTM title for Mercedes in 2015, his third season in the tin-top series after graduating from his sole season of European F3 in 2012 as a race winner.
The Sauber F1 driver, who is also a Mercedes junior, said having a DTM or F1 affiliation was key for a credible junior series.
"F3 was the most important time for me because I learned everything about faster cars, high-downforce cars, about a really competitive single-seater series," he said.
"It's quite important to be in the environment of DTM or F1.
"You learn the tracks you could drive in the future and with Mercedes and all the teams that are here, it's quite important.
"People will always recognise you more if you are in the environment of these two series."
OCON DEFENDS GP3'S MERITS

While F3's history helps it gain favour in debates over its merits compared to GP3, Wehrlein's fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon said he could not choose between them.
The Force India F1 rookie won the 2014 European F3 title and followed it up with the 2015 GP3 crown.
"I learned so much from F3 about motorsport and the way the technical side is very close to F1, and the teams are very professional," said Ocon.
"When you arrive in GP3 you learn how to drive with Pirelli tyres, with a car that has a bit faster an engine, that has more degradation in the race but is also a lot slower compared to qualifying.
"Both made me access something different and helped me to reach that level now."

Red Bull Ring GP3: Hyman beats Ferrari junior Alesi to race two win
Baptista OK for Silverstone GP3 after airborne Austria incident

Latest news
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
Daytona 24, Hour 15: Porsche takes lead amid trouble for MSR Acura
Porsche Penske Motorsport moved to the front of the Daytona 24 Hours in the 15th hour after the erstwhile-leading Meyer Shank Racing Acura developed an oil leak issue.
Vandoorne: Dashboard, steering wheel glitch caused Diriyah FE attack mode penalty
A blank dashboard caused Stoffel Vandoorne's 24-second Diriyah E-Prix penalty, as an electronics glitch on his DS Penske Formula E car meant he couldn't arm attack mode.
Five things we learned from Vasseur's first Ferrari F1 press call
Ferrari has undergone a winter of upheaval ever since it was announced that boss Mattia Binotto was stepping away from the Formula 1 squad.
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
The ladder to F1 never gets any less slippery. But a strong cast of Formula 3 and Formula 2 aces proved sure of foot as they continued their climbs in 2022
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
The announcement that FIA Formula 2 and 3 would race alongside the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 came as a surprise, not only to fans but to the series’ teams too. But with Formula 1’s boom in popularity bringing more fans to the championships, team principals are relishing the opportunity
Why the Formula 3 benchmark's 2022 season hinges on qualifying
Prema Racing has long dominated FIA Formula 3, taking the teams’ title in two of the past three seasons. But its start to 2022 has been trickier than usual, and the answers lie in its qualifying performance
How the ultra-tight F3 title fight is taking shape
With just five points separating the top five after two rounds, FIA Formula 3 looks set for another thrilling season in 2022. But who stands the best chance of pulling away from that pack, and who are the contenders bubbling under?
The F3 newcomer making good on his unusual career path
Joining the FIA Formula 3 grid as a rookie with a team new to the series could prove daunting for most, but then there aren't many drivers who have the extensive experience Franco Colapinto brings from his time racing sportscars. The Argentinian explains how his LMP2 experience is already helping him in 2022
The British trio hunting for F3 title glory
The 2022 FIA Formula 3 season kicks off this weekend in Bahrain. British trio Zak O’Sullivan, Ollie Bearman and Jonny Edgar have all become proteges of Formula 1 teams, and are talents to watch this year
How an outsider demolished a rank of F1 juniors
His career has been a slowburner but Gregoire Saucy trounced a collection of F1 juniors in Formula Regional by Alpine last year, and now he’s preparing to do it again in FIA F3. Here’s how the Swiss caught the world by surprise in 2021 and how he plans to do it all over again
Ranking the top 10 F2 and F3 drivers of 2021
With a veritable feast of feeder series talent in 2021, FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 produced some of its most exciting racing yet. Although Prema Racing drivers once again dominated the respective series, drivers from other teams also stole the limelight to mark themselves out as stars of the future, or validate their highly-regarded standing
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.