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.
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