Macau Grand Prix switches from F3 to FR: What you need to know

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Macau Grand Prix Losing its top Formula 3 (F3) The competition is a hot topic among people.

The FIA (International Automobile Federation), the global governing body for motorsport, announced yesterday that the F3 series will be Regional Formula The (FR) Championship will begin with the next Grand Prix in November.

For those unfamiliar, the FIA aims to “bridge the gap between the various national Formula 4 series and the FIA Formula 3 Championship,” which currently consists of five different series around the world. The FIA describes the Formula 4 World Cup to be held in Macau as “the FIA’s most prestigious single-seater event for juniors.”

[See more: Goodbye, Formula 3. The Macau Grand Prix loses its main attraction]

So why are local racing fans unhappy? Granted, the name “Regional Formula” sounds different from “Formula 3,” but anyone who thinks FR racing lacks excitement is fooling themselves – and it’s not.

Macau may prefer to stick with F3, but if it leans towards FR, the Guia Circuit’s reputation among a wider range of drivers will be enhanced and its status as a breeding ground for motorsport talent will be cemented. Read on to find out more.

Rafel Camara tops the pack during practice for the European Regional Formula Championship on April 16, 2024 — Rafel Camara tops the Formula Europe Regional Championship practice session on April 16, 2024 – Photo courtesy of Alpine Formula Europe Regional Championship

Let’s be honest, Regional Formula is worse than Formula 3, right?

Well, yes. But the difference is not that big. A FR car has 200 to 250 horsepower, while an F3 car has 250 to 320 horsepower. FR cars can reach 260 km/hIn contrast, the F3 mechanical Approx. 300It’s a big deal in racing, but compared to how the rest of us drive — and from a spectator’s perspective — it’s only a minor difference.

according to Motorsport website Feeder Series said: “The Formula Regional cars share many of the same design features as F3 2019. Most of them are the same length as the F3 cars and include all of the same safety features.”

[See more: Guangzhou looks set to get its own Formula 1 racetrack]

Young drivers also benefit. Feeder Series quotes Gianfranco de Bellis, CEO of FR chassis manufacturer Tatuus, as saying: “Formula Regional is an important step for drivers. Drivers can learn a lot from driving a car with low downforce, an efficient braking system and a powerful engine.”

Still, FR is a “beginner” race. That’s bad.

News Flash: Formula 2 is Youth Competition. Too F3 And, for that matter, F4In fact, in the early 1960s, the F2 and F3 categories were briefly referred to as Formula JuniorIn the elite world of Formula One motorsport, Anything below F1 It’s “elementary”.

Historically, the Macau Grand Prix has been a junior event.

Are drivers happy with this change?

not completelyThose who crave thrills may not welcome the changes, and any reduction in their top speed may cause them to express concern.

“In Formula Regional, the weight of the car is very high compared to the power of the car,” Prema driver Gabrielle Mini told autosport.com. [in F3]” and “The aerodynamics in F3 are much stronger, while in the regional formulas, the aerodynamics are much weaker.”

She added: “It’s not as much fun as the cars we drive. [in Macao] Last year. I don’t know if we’re going to get there.”

[See more: Everything you need to know about the Guia Circuit]

Meanwhile, for every driver reluctant to make the trip to Macau, there are many who will jump at the chance. The FIA says FR will make grand prix racing “more accessible than ever before, opening it up to a wide range of potential drivers competing at a regional level.”

One of them could be Russian F3 racer Nikita Bedrin. “I wouldn’t mind taking part,” he told autosport.com. “Just because it’s a cool track, I’d go.”

Regional Formula driver Tuukka Taponen demonstrates precision and technique at the Paul Ricard circuit on April 18, 2024 — Formula Regional driver Tuukka Taponen demonstrates precision and skill at the Paul Ricard Circuit on April 18, 2024 – Photo courtesy of Alpine Formula Regional European Championship

We will all miss F3 in Macau though. Those were the glory days, right?

Of course. The first Formula 3 race was held at the 30th Macau Grand Prix in 1983. The winner was none other than the late Ayrton SennaFresh off his British F3 title, the Brazilian legend moved to SAR, where he drove the iconic Ralt RT3 for Theodore Racing. A year later, Senna made the switch to Formula One and is now considered The greatest F1 driver – Played for Toleman (1984), Lotus (1985) McLaren (1988).

[See more: Macau Grand Prix organisers shrug off the loss of Formula 3 racing]

Another F1 legend who won in Macau is Michael SchumacherThe German driver is one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1, having won the world championship a record seven times. Schumacher competed in the Macau Grand Prix in 1990, competing against another rival and legendary driver. Mika HakkinenThe German beat him on the final lap. That was also the same year that the infamous Hakkinen-Schumacher feud began. Fun fact: Michael’s younger brother Ralf Schumacher In 1995, he won the Macau Grand Prix.

Some current Formula 1 drivers have driven a Formula 3 car at the Guia Circuit but failed to win, including the current and three-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappenseven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and fellow British people Lando Norris and George Russell.

Ivan Domingues sets a best time during the Regional Formula practice session in Barcelona on April 3, 2024 — Ivan Domingues sets a top time during Formula Regional practice in Barcelona on April 3, 2024 – Photo courtesy of Alpine Formula Regional European Championship

Wow. In that sense, the loss of F3 is a real blow to Macau.

The timing is bad. Macau is trying to establish itself as a hub for top global sporting events. Having F3 as one of those events would be a hard sell. Cancelling F3 on the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region is also not the news the government wants to hear.

But it is all about mutual benefit. The Macau Grand Prix needs the support of the FIA, which believes this is the best move for the Grand Prix.

[See more: A car that raced in the first Macau Grand Prix is up for sale]

“Bringing Formula Regionals to Macau for the FIA Formula Regionals World Cup is a natural outcome of the evolution of the junior single-seater landscape over the past few years and a logical step in the pyramid,” said Francois Sicard, FIA single-seater strategy and operations director.

He added: “The Macau Formula 3 series has built a legendary reputation, bringing together the best junior racers from national series around the world to compete on the world’s most challenging street circuits. Switching to a regional Formula machine does a great job reinvigorating that spirit and is the best long-term solution for an FIA-sanctioned single-seater race in Macau.”

Let’s see if he’s right.

– By Erico Dias

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