Formula 3 Calendar

The FIA Formula 3 Championship is the third-tier international single-seater racing series, supporting Formula 1 and Formula 2 at selected Grand Prix weekends. The 2026 season marks the eighth year under the FIA Formula 3 Championship name and features 30 drivers from 10 teams competing in identical cars. This spec series provides young talent with their first experience of international racing at motorsport's highest level, developing essential skills while racing in front of Formula 1 teams and decision-makers.

Championship Format

The 2026 season comprises 10 race weekends with 20 races across international circuits from March to September. Each weekend features two distinct race types: Saturday's Sprint Race and Sunday's Feature Race. Points are awarded to the top ten classified finishers in both races, with pole position for the Feature Race earning an additional two points. Drivers also receive one point for setting the fastest lap in either race, provided they finish within the top ten.

Weekend Structure

Formula 3 race weekends follow a consistent three-day format. Friday begins with a 45-minute Free Practice session, followed by a 30-minute Qualifying session that determines the grid for Sunday's Feature Race. The top 12 qualifying positions are then reversed to set the grid for Saturday's Sprint Race, creating opportunities for varied results and overtaking. Saturday's Sprint Race runs for 40 minutes plus one lap, while Sunday's Feature Race extends to 45 minutes plus one lap and takes place before the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Feature Race carries more championship points than the Sprint Race.

Technical Specifications

As a spec series, all competitors use identical equipment. Teams utilize the Dallara F3 2025 chassis powered by a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter Mecachrome V6 engine delivering 380 horsepower at 8000 rpm. Pirelli supplies all tyres, with drivers allocated four sets of dry-weather tyres and two sets of wet-weather tyres per event. The championship runs on 100% sustainable fuel, aligning with Formula 1's environmental initiatives. Cars feature the Drag Reduction System (DRS) for use in designated zones during practice, qualifying, and races when within one second of the car ahead. Advanced safety systems, including the halo cockpit protection device, are standard across all cars.

The 2026 Season

The 2026 calendar features 10 rounds, opening in Melbourne, Australia, in early March and concluding for the first time at the new Madrid street circuit in Spain in mid-September. The championship visits notable venues including Bahrain, Monaco, Barcelona, Spielberg's Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, Budapest, and Monza. Scheduled breaks in May and August allow drivers time for physical training and simulator work, with official pre-season testing held in Barcelona and Spielberg.

Ten teams field three drivers each, with reigning Teams' Champions Campos Racing among the confirmed entrants alongside Trident, ART Grand Prix, MP Motorsport, Van Amersfoort Racing, Rodin Motorsport, Prema Racing, Hitech TGR, AIX Racing, and DAMS Lucas Oil. The 2026 grid features several drivers linked to Formula 1 junior programs, including Red Bull's Ernesto Rivera, Mattia Colnaghi, and Fionn McLaughlin; Ferrari's Tuukka Taponen; McLaren's Matteo De Palo; Audi's Freddie Slater; and Williams' Alessandro Giusti.

Why Follow Formula 3

Formula 3 provides an accessible entry point for fans to discover future motorsport stars. The championship's effectiveness in developing talent is proven by graduates who have progressed to Formula 1, including Oscar Piastri. Racing on the same weekends as Formula 1 allows fans to watch emerging talent compete on prestigious circuits before the Grand Prix, while the reversed-grid Sprint Race format consistently delivers close racing and overtaking opportunities.