USA could have an FIA-sanctioned F3 series in the future
The USA could have its own Formula 3 series in the future, according to the FIA single-seater boss Stefano Domenicali
The former Ferrari Formula 1 boss revealed that he was working in conjunction with the group behind , which was launched last week for 2016, on plans to bring F3 to North America.
The Sports Car Club of America's Pro Racing division, which will run the new FIA-sanctioned F4 series, has declared that it wants to build a new single-seater ladder in the USA that could eventually include Formula 2.
Domenicali told AUTOSPORT: "F3 is something that is already in our vision [for the USA].
"First we need to make sure that we have a solid base in F4 and then F3 would be the logical next step.
"We will be looking at that in the next months."
SCCA boss Robert Clarke stated the introduction of F4 was the first step in the relaunch of the club than formerly ran Can-Am, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic in North America.
"The focus is on F4 at the moment, but we would eventually like to adopt a ladder on the F3/F2 model," he said.
"I am excited about F4 as a formula, but even more exciting is that it will provide the platform to expand the SCCA.
"We used to have Formula Atlantic, and drivers went straight from there to Formula 1 and IndyCar racing."
No timescale has been revealed for the creation of an F3 series in North America.
Clarke has insisted F4 will not conflict with IndyCar's existing Road to Indy single-seater route backed by Mazda and would instead feed into it.
But John Doonan, motorsport boss of Mazda North America, said an F3 championship in the USA would clearly be in competition with its existing Formula 2000 and Pro Mazda series.
Asked if there would be a conflict, he said: "That is an accurate statement.
"As a sport we have a lack of audience in terms of drivers, teams and sponsorship, and I am worried about that being fragmented.
"I don't see that there are 100s of karters out there saying it's great that F4 offers an opportunity they didn't have before."
The USA F4 one-make racer is being developed by Crawford Composites chassis and will powered by a Honda engine.
Five triple-header events are planned next year at East Coast venues before the series expands around the USA in successive seasons.
DID YOU KNOW...
... the USA had a short-lived F3 championship back in the early 2000s sanctioned by the SCCA? The poorly-supported series ran for two years in 2000-01.
Previous article
Carlin eyeing Pedro Piquet for 2016 European F3 Championship
Next article
Nurburgring European F3: Rosenqvist leads Stroll in practice
How Campos Racing has bounced back from its devastating loss
After the sudden death of its founder in January, Formula 2 stalwart Campos Racing was left facing its hardest season to date. But new team boss Adrian Jr is determined to honour his father’s legacy and has returned the team to its winning ways
How F2 and F3's flawed format changes could prove shortlived
After a chaotic 2020, marred by the coronavirus pandemic, the FIA brought in radical changes to Formula 2 and 3. But less than 12 months later, there are talks of them being reversed after all did not go to plan…
How the latest 'son of' youngster found his feet in F3
After a promising start to his single-seater racing career, life in the Formula 1 feeder series gave Jack Doohan a reality check. But, following a year of learning and toiling, the driver with one of the most famous surnames on the Formula 3 grid isn’t feeling the weight of expectation pushing down too hard on him any longer
The Monaco win that started another triple crown
30 years ago, victory in the Monaco Grand Prix-supporting Formula 3 race – then a showpiece invitational event – began a young Jorg Muller’s pursuit of a unique set of street circuit wins that he’d later complete at Macau and Pau
How two F3 stars face new challenges from very different perspectives
ART Grand Prix team-mates Frederik Vesti and Juan Manuel Correa's paths to the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship grid couldn’t have been further apart, but both are using the same focus for different goals
Why Correa's return is the feelgood story racing needed
Juan Manuel Correa has had a long road to recovery from that horrific day at Spa in 2019. ART's decision to give him his race return in FIA Formula 3 in 2021 is a victory in itself, but his determination will surely - in time - have him fighting for bigger things
Why Piastri's F3 title was better than results suggested
F3 rookie Oscar Piastri only just snatched the 2020 title with Prema Racing, but the setbacks he overcame to do so suggest that Renault's next Australian talent is one destined for the top
The ground-effect wonder behind a generation of F1 stars
Recently named as Autosport's greatest single-seater, Ralt's RT3 launched a plethora of superstar drivers through the early 1980s, and established the constructor as the go-to place for your single-seater weapon
