MAY 7, 2003

Formula 3000 to become F2 again

It has been talked about on and off for many years but it seems that finally logic will prevail and Formula 3000 will be turned back into Formula 2 when the FIA World Council meets in June. This will make it much more obvious to the world that the series is the formula nearest to Formula 1 and above Formula 3. The change was discussed along with a variety of other possible changes, including holding the F3000 race on Sunday mornings at each Grand Prix to fill the gap that has been left by the cancellation of the warm-up and to give the series more coverage.

In recent months Formula 3000 has been under increasing pressure with competition from the Nissan World Series, the new Renault V6 Eurocup and the European Formula 3000 championship. These all offer cheaper alternative to the International F3000 series, which has meant that grids have fallen. The aim now is to bring down costs in Formula 3000 because although the cost of a chassis is pegged the cost of spares has sky-rocketed. It is anticipated that the next contract offered by the FIA will included stipulations about the cost of spares.

Current chassis supplier Lola is likely to face stiff competition for the next F3000 chassis supply deal which will begin in 2005. Zytek Engineering, the Repton-based company which is supplying the engines for the championship, has set up a Vehicle Technology Division, which is being run by former Jordan F1 managing-director Trevor Foster. This will be building a chassis to bid for the F3000 deal.