2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship was the fifth season of the premier open-wheel Formula Three racing series organized under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), positioned as the third tier in the single-seater racing pyramid below Formula 2 and Formula 1.[1] Featuring 10 teams and up to 30 drivers in identical Dallara F3 2019 chassis equipped with a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine producing around 380 horsepower, the season consisted of 10 triple-header rounds totaling 30 races—15 sprint races and 15 feature races—held from March to September across Bahrain, Australia, and eight European circuits.[2][3] Most events supported the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 1 World Championships, providing high-visibility platforms for emerging talents on the road to Formula 1.[3] Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, racing for Trident, won the Drivers' Championship with 164 points, securing the title through consistent results including six podiums and an average finishing position of 5.47, despite recording only two victories.[4][5] He finished ahead of Prema Racing teammates Zak O'Sullivan (119 points, four wins) and Paul Aron (112 points, one win), while Franco Colapinto of MP Motorsport rounded out the top four with 110 points and a series-high four victories tied with O'Sullivan.[4][5] Prema Racing dominated the Teams' Championship with 327 points, marking their seventh consecutive title and surpassing milestones of over 500 laps led and 2,000 total points scored in the series' history.[6][5] Trident placed second with 308 points, bolstered by Bortoleto's campaign and contributions from teammates Leonardo Fornaroli and Roman Staněk.[6] The season opened at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 3–5, where Bortoleto claimed his first feature race win, setting the tone for his championship challenge.[7] Subsequent rounds included debuts at street circuits in Melbourne (March 31–April 2) and Monte Carlo (May 25–28), introducing diverse challenges like tight urban layouts alongside traditional grand prix venues such as Imola, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza.[3] Highlights included intense qualifying battles, such as the tightest in series history at Spielberg (0.004 seconds between pole and second), and records like the youngest driver debut by Nikola Tsolov at 16 years and 77 days.[5] O'Sullivan tied the record for most grand slams (two), while Colapinto led the most race distance (469 km) and tied for most races led (eight).[5] The championship concluded at Monza on September 1–3, with Bortoleto's title mathematically sealed earlier, underscoring the series' role in nurturing future Formula 1 stars like previous graduates Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant.[3][1]Background
Previous season
The 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship concluded with Victor Martins of ART Grand Prix clinching the drivers' title after a tightly contested season, finishing with 139 points ahead of Zane Maloney of Trident (134 points) and Oliver Bearman of Prema Racing (132 points). Prema Racing asserted dominance in the teams' standings, securing the championship with 355 points—more than twice that of runners-up Trident (301 points)—and extending their streak of Formula 3 teams' titles to seven consecutive years across the series' iterations. This marked Prema's fourth teams' crown in the five-year history of the FIA-sanctioned championship, underscoring their engineering and operational superiority.[8][9] The outcomes shaped the 2023 landscape significantly, as top performers advanced to the FIA Formula 2 Championship, creating opportunities for emerging talents. Martins, the reigning champion, graduated to F2 with ART Grand Prix as part of the Alpine Academy, while runners-up Maloney (to Carlin) and Bearman (to Prema in F2) also progressed, alongside other high-placers like Isack Hadjar (Hitech GP) and Roman Stanek (Trident). Prema's 2022 success bolstered their recruitment appeal, enabling them to retain a competitive edge and attract promising drivers for the upcoming F3 season.[10] A notable controversy arose in the season finale at Monza, where a red flag following a multi-car incident halted the feature race short of its full distance, preventing a restart and controversially confirming Martins' title without further competition—despite Zane Maloney winning the abbreviated event. This decision drew criticism for its impact on the championship outcome, highlighting procedural debates that carried into discussions for future races. Prema's record included 15 wins across the season, reinforcing their benchmark status amid a field of 30 drivers from 10 teams.[11][9]Championship format
The FIA Formula 3 Championship is a spec-series single-seater motor racing competition sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), forming the second tier of the FIA Global Pathway that ladders drivers from Formula 4 toward Formula 2 and ultimately Formula 1. In the 2023 season, it consisted of a fixed 30-car grid divided among 10 entrant teams, with each team required to nominate three drivers for the full season. The series supported the Formula 1 World Championship at the majority of its events, sharing circuits and enhancing exposure for emerging talent while adhering to FIA safety and technical standards.[12] Each race weekend followed a standardized format across the 10 rounds, beginning with a 45-minute free practice session and a 30-minute qualifying on Friday to set the grid for Sunday's Feature Race, a longer contest lasting 45 minutes plus one lap.[2] Saturday's Sprint Race, lasting 40 minutes plus one lap, employed a reverse-order grid for the top 12 qualifiers from the Feature Race session, promoting close racing and opportunities for midfield drivers.[12] Both races mandated the use of Pirelli wet or dry tires, with teams allocated a limited number per event to emphasize strategy and resource management.[2] Points in the drivers' and teams' championships were scored separately for each race type, with the Feature Race distributing 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 points to the top 10 finishers, plus 2 points for pole position in qualifying and 1 point for the fastest lap if the driver classified in the top 10.[2] The Sprint Race awarded 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 points to its top 10 finishers, with 1 additional point for the fastest lap under the same condition.[2] No points were awarded for overall weekend classifications, ensuring focus on individual race performances. As part of its role in driver development, the top three finishers in the 2023 drivers' standings earned promotion to the FIA Formula 2 Championship for 2024, aligning with the series' objective to fast-track high achievers. Additionally, the championship allocated FIA Super Licence points based on final standings—30 for the champion, 25 for second, 20 for third, and tapering to 1 for 12th—to help drivers accumulate the 40 points needed over three years for Formula 1 eligibility.[13]Teams and drivers
Entering teams
All ten teams from the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship returned for the 2023 season, maintaining the series' grid size without any new entrants or withdrawals.[6] Two teams experienced organizational changes. Carlin Motorsport, a long-standing British squad based in Northampton, rebranded as Rodin Carlin after receiving investment from Australian entrepreneur David Dicker, who acquired majority ownership early in the year.[14] Separately, the entry previously held by Charouz Racing System was taken over by German outfit PHM Racing through a partnership agreement, operating under the name PHM Racing by Charouz for the season; the team was based in the Czech Republic with operations managed from Germany.[15] The participating teams were:| Team | Base Location | Ownership/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prema Racing | Italy | Italian-owned; multiple-time champions |
| Trident | Italy | Italian-owned |
| ART Grand Prix | France | French-owned |
| MP Motorsport | Spain | Spanish-owned |
| Hitech Pulse-Eight | United Kingdom | British-owned |
| Van Amersfoort Racing | Netherlands | Dutch-owned |
| Rodin Carlin | United Kingdom | Rebranded from Carlin |
| Campos Racing | Spain | Spanish-owned |
| Jenzer Motorsport | Switzerland | Swiss-owned |
| PHM Racing by Charouz | Czech Republic/Germany | Takeover of Charouz entry |
Driver line-ups
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship opened with a full grid of 30 drivers competing across 10 teams, featuring a mix of experienced racers and fresh talent, including 18 rookies debuting in the series.[16] This composition reflected the series' role as a key stepping stone to Formula 2 and beyond, with several drivers backed by major junior programs such as Ferrari Driver Academy, Alpine Academy, and Williams Driver Academy.[17] The initial line-ups for Round 1 in Bahrain are detailed below:
[18][16]
Several notable signings highlighted the season's potential, including Dino Beganovic joining PREMA Racing as the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) champion from Ferrari Driver Academy, bringing strong junior formula credentials.[16] Zak O'Sullivan, a Williams Driver Academy member, switched from Carlin to PREMA for his second F3 campaign after finishing 11th in 2022.[17] Trident assembled an all-rookie front line with Gabriel Bortoleto, a FRECA race winner from Brazil with prior success in Italian F4, alongside Leonardo Fornaroli, the 2022 FRECA rookies' champion.[16]
Other key additions included Nikola Tsolov at ART Grand Prix, the 2022 Spanish F4 champion and an Alpine Academy prospect making his series debut at age 17.[16] Hitech Pulse-Eight bolstered its roster with Luke Browning, the 2022 GB3 champion, and Gabriele Minì, the 2022 FRECA runner-up from Alpine Academy.[16] Jenzer Motorsport fielded an entirely rookie lineup, featuring Taylor Barnard, who had finished runner-up in the 2022 ADAC Formula 4 Championship, and Nikita Bedrin, a FRECA race winner with Russian F4 experience.[17] These moves underscored the influx of talent from regional series like FRECA, GB3, and national F4 championships, setting a competitive tone for the season.[16]
Mid-season changes
Several mid-season driver substitutions occurred in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship, primarily involving underperforming teams at the lower end of the standings. These changes were concentrated in the latter half of the season and involved temporary and permanent replacements, often driven by performance considerations.[19] PHM Racing by Charouz made the first adjustment prior to Round 5 at the Red Bull Ring, where British GB3 driver McKenzy Cresswell replaced Piotr Wiśnicki in the team's third car. Wiśnicki, a rookie who had struggled with no points scored in the opening four rounds, was sidelined for this move, which the team described as an opportunity to bring in fresh talent from the GB3 series. Cresswell, making his F3 debut, competed in Rounds 5 and 6 at Silverstone but managed only modest results, including a best finish of 25th in qualifying at Silverstone. Following Silverstone, PHM opted for another change ahead of Round 7 at the Hungaroring, promoting South Korean driver Woohyun Shin from Euroformula Open to take over the seat for the remainder of the season (Rounds 7–10). Shin, who had shown promise in lower formulas, debuted with a 20th-place finish in the feature race at Hungaroring but accumulated just two points overall. These substitutions failed to lift PHM from the bottom of the teams' championship, where they ended with zero points and last place among the 10 entrants.[19][20] Rodin Carlin also underwent multiple driver alterations starting before Round 6 at Silverstone, replacing American rookie Hunter Yeany with fellow American Max Esterson in the #21 car. Yeany, who had scored no points in the first five rounds amid a challenging season for the team, was dropped due to ongoing performance issues. Esterson, a GB3 frontrunner, stepped up for Rounds 6 and 7 at Hungaroring, achieving a best result of 18th in the sprint race at Silverstone. However, ahead of Round 8 at Spa-Francorchamps, Carlin brought in Italian driver Francesco Simonazzi to replace Esterson for the final two rounds, citing the need for continuity with a driver familiar from prior testing. Simonazzi scored the team's only point of the season with a 10th-place finish in the Monza feature race. Like PHM, these changes had limited impact on Rodin Carlin's position, as the team finished ninth in the teams' standings with just one point, reflecting broader struggles with car setup and consistency.[21][22] No other teams reported mid-season driver changes, contributing to a relatively stable grid where 27 of the 30 starting drivers completed the full campaign—the highest retention rate since the championship's inception in 2019.[23]Calendar and circuits
Race schedule
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship featured nine rounds across the globe, all contested as support races to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, after the planned third round at Imola was cancelled due to severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region.[24] The season opened in Bahrain and concluded in Italy, utilising Grand Prix configurations of established circuits, with each weekend comprising practice sessions, qualifying, a sprint race on Saturday (typically 18-20 laps, reverse grid for the top 12 from qualifying), and a feature race on Sunday (typically 22-25 laps).[3] The full schedule is detailed below, including circuit lengths and example race configurations where they establish the scale of events (e.g., Bahrain's 5.412 km layout hosted a 19-lap sprint race covering 102.828 km and a 22-lap feature race covering 119.064 km).[18]| Round | Dates | Circuit | Location | Circuit Length (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3–5 March | Bahrain International Circuit | Sakhir, Bahrain | 5.412 |
| 2 | 31 March–2 April | Albert Park Circuit | Melbourne, Australia | 5.278 |
| 3 | 25–28 May | Circuit de Monaco | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 3.337 |
| 4 | 2–4 June | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Montmeló, Spain | 4.657 |
| 5 | 30 June–2 July | Red Bull Ring | Spielberg, Austria | 4.318 |
| 6 | 7–9 July | Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone, UK | 5.891 |
| 7 | 21–23 July | Hungaroring | Mogyoród, Hungary | 4.381 |
| 8 | 28–30 July | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Stavelot, Belgium | 7.004 |
| 9 | 1–3 September | Monza Circuit | Monza, Italy | 5.793 |
Calendar changes
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship calendar expanded to ten rounds from nine in 2022, introducing significant modifications to align with the Formula 1 World Championship's schedule.[25] The most notable addition was the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne as the second round, marking the series' debut in Australia and providing an early-season international expansion following Formula 1's return there after a three-year COVID-19 hiatus.[3] This addition shifted the 2022 second round at Imola to the third round, while the Principality of Monaco was incorporated as a standalone fourth round, absent from the prior year's calendar. Further adjustments included the removal of the Zandvoort round, which had been the eighth event in 2022, allowing for a streamlined European sequence that retained circuits like Spielberg, Silverstone, Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza but with reordered timings to better synchronize with Formula 1 logistics.[25] Spielberg, previously the fifth round, became the sixth; Silverstone moved from fourth to seventh; Hungaroring from sixth to eighth; Spa from seventh to ninth; and Monza concluded the season as the tenth event, up from ninth. These shifts aimed to optimize travel efficiency and reduce calendar congestion, particularly in the mid-season triple-header period.[3] The changes were driven primarily by efforts to mirror Formula 1's global footprint and enhance the feeder series' visibility, with the Australian addition capitalizing on the host country's motorsport enthusiasm and logistical readiness post-pandemic. The cancellation of the Imola round due to flooding resulted in 9 rounds total, with subsequent events renumbered accordingly. Minor scheduling tweaks for weather were limited to session timings rather than venue alterations.[26]Regulation changes
Technical regulations
The technical regulations for the 2023 season were largely unchanged from 2022, continuing to use the Dallara F3 2019 chassis and Mecachrome 3.4-litre V6 engine.[27] A significant update was the mandatory adoption of fuels containing 55% advanced sustainable components, supplied by Aramco and approved by the FIA to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring performance parity with conventional fuels. This marked the first use of such blends in competitive action for the series.[28]Sporting regulations
The 2023 sporting regulations introduced modifications to qualifying, penalties, and race procedures. In qualifying, a 30-minute session set the Feature Race grid, with the top 12 reversed for the Sprint Race; drivers whose cars stopped on track could no longer continue. Failure to stop for a random post-qualifying weight check resulted in a pit lane start for both races, up from a single-race penalty previously. If qualifying was cancelled, free practice results determined grids for both races. For the Monaco round, due to the split-group qualifying format (two 15-minute sessions), the Sprint Race grid reversed the top 10 overall qualifiers, alternating positions from each group to mix the fastest drivers.[29][30] Penalty updates included an expanded false start definition, penalizing drivers whose front tyres crossed the outer edges of their grid slot with a five-place grid drop. DRS activation was permitted after one full lap following the start or safety car deployment, reduced from two laps to encourage earlier overtaking.[29] Tiebreaker criteria for equal points prioritized Feature Race results over Sprint Race ones, with wins, seconds, etc., taking precedence before poles or fastest laps. The Aramco Best Rookie Cup was introduced for drivers with no prior F3 starts, awarding points on the same scale but classified separately; Gabriel Bortoleto won the inaugural title.[29][31]Season report
The scheduled Round 3 at Imola was cancelled due to severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region; subsequent rounds were renumbered accordingly.Pre-season testing
The official pre-season testing for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place over three days at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, from 14 to 16 February 2023.[32] This session provided teams and drivers with valuable track time to refine car setups, test mechanical components, and assess tyre performance ahead of the season-opening round at the same venue. Each day featured morning and afternoon runs totaling five hours of on-track activity, allowing the full 30-car grid to complete extensive mileage.[32] Gregoire Saucy of ART Grand Prix dominated the test, setting the overall fastest lap of 1:46.642 during the second morning session and topping three of the five available sessions as the only driver to break the 1:47 barrier.[33] Dino Beganovic of Prema Racing recorded the second-quickest time of 1:47.121 from the first morning, while Gabriele Mini of Hitech GP was third overall with 1:47.166 from the second morning.[34] Other strong showings came from rookies like Gabriel Bortoleto (Trident) and Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport), who featured prominently in the top 10 across sessions.[34] Reliability across the field was solid, with Prema Racing's drivers logging high mileage—Beganovic alone completed 169 laps over the three days, the second-highest total.[35] Van Amersfoort Racing's Caio Collet led lap counts on the final day with 61 circuits, emphasizing endurance preparations.[33] No significant mechanical failures were reported, though a 10-minute red flag interrupted the second morning due to an unspecified stoppage.[34] In addition to the official test, several teams conducted private sessions earlier in the off-season to integrate their driver line-ups and baseline car developments.[16]Round 1: Bahrain
The opening round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Bahrain International Circuit from 3 to 5 March, marking the series' return to the 5.412 km desert track under the support of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.[18] With 30 drivers from 10 teams competing, the weekend featured practice, qualifying, a sprint race on Saturday, and a feature race on Sunday, setting the tone for a competitive season dominated by tight battles and frequent safety car interventions.[18] Qualifying on Friday afternoon saw intense competition, with the top 17 drivers separated by less than half a second. Gabriele Minì of Hitech Pulse-Eight secured pole position with a lap time of 1:47.055, edging out Gabriel Bortoleto of Trident by 0.057 seconds. Grégoire Saucy of ART Grand Prix rounded out the top three in 1:47.166, while Prema Racing's Dino Beganovic and Zak O'Sullivan qualified fourth and sixth respectively. Several drivers, including Bortoleto, had early laps deleted for track limits violations at Turns 10 and 11.[36][18] The sprint race on Saturday used a partially reversed grid based on qualifying positions eight to tenth, placing MP Motorsport's Franco Colapinto on reverse pole ahead of Campos Racing's Josep María Martí and Van Amersfoort Racing's Caio Collet. Martí made a decisive move to overtake Colapinto with six laps remaining, holding on to win by 1.805 seconds in a race punctuated by two safety car periods. The first came on lap 2 after a collision between Hitech's Rafael Villagómez and Trident's Bortoleto at Turn 4, while the second followed Hitech's Luke Browning being hit from behind and retiring on lap 8. Collet recovered to third after an early battle, marking Martí's maiden F3 victory.[37][18] Sunday's feature race delivered drama, with Bortoleto converting his second-place start into a commanding lead by passing pole-sitter Minì at the first corner. Minì fought back, overtaking ART's Saucy for second on lap 10 and then Bortoleto during a safety car restart, only to suffer heartbreak on the penultimate lap when his Hitech car stalled at the restart, dropping him to 25th. Trident achieved a 1-2 finish as teammate Oliver Goethe overtook Saucy for second, while Prema's Beganovic passed Saucy late for third. Incidents included a lap 7 collision at the hairpin between MP's Mari Boya and VAR's Tommy Smith, leading to Boya's retirement, and a late contact between Smith and Rodin Carlin's Nazim Azman that triggered the final safety car. Other DNFs were Smith's due to damage and Campos' Hugh Barter from a lap 5 puncture after contact with Jenzer's William Alatalo.[38][18] After the Bahrain round, Bortoleto led the drivers' standings with 26 points from his feature win and fastest lap, followed by Goethe on 23 and Beganovic on 22. Trident topped the teams' classification with 47 points, ahead of Prema on 28.[18]Round 2: Australia
The second round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, from 31 March to 2 April, marking the series' debut as a support event to the Australian Grand Prix.[39] The 5.278 km semi-street circuit, with its tight corners and proximity to barriers, presented unique challenges for the field, emphasizing precise driving to avoid wall contacts.[40] Qualifying on 31 March was heavily disrupted by three red flags caused by crashes, limiting clean lap opportunities. Gabriel Bortoleto of Trident secured pole position with a time of 1:33.025 on his final attempt, ahead of Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) by 0.171 seconds and Gabriele Minì (Hitech Pulse-Eight) in third.[39] Incidents included shunts by Josep María Martí at Turn 10 and Kaylen Frederick at the final corner, while late barrier hits by Nikita Bedrin and Minì added to the chaos.[39] Sebastián Montoya qualified 12th, earning reverse-grid pole for the sprint race.[39] The sprint race on 1 April was a chaotic affair on the reverse grid, featuring four safety car periods due to multiple collisions on the unforgiving track. Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport) initially led from sixth on the grid, making a decisive pass on Montoya at Turn 9 and controlling the race behind the safety cars to cross the line first, followed by Zak O'Sullivan (PREMA Racing) and Montoya.[41] However, post-race technical checks revealed an infringement on Colapinto's car's keel, leading to his disqualification along with teammates Mari Boya and Jonny Edgar; O'Sullivan was thus awarded the victory, his maiden F3 win, with Luke Browning inheriting fastest lap after a 10-second penalty for kerb abuse dropped him to fifth.[42] Notable incidents included Oliver Goethe's puncture, Ido Cohen's wall contact, and Tommy Smith's crash, which triggered one safety car deployment.[41] In the feature race on 2 April, Bortoleto converted his pole into a lights-to-flag victory, leading every lap over 23 laps to claim his second consecutive win and extend his championship lead to 58 points.[43] Saucy pressured closely but finished 0.508 seconds behind in second, with Minì third after a strong recovery.[43] The race saw two safety car interventions: the first on lap 2 after incidents including Colapinto's puncture-induced crash and Boya's retirement from contact with Nikola Tsolov, and the second on lap 13 following a spin involving Cohen and Rafael Villagómez.[43] Early retirements included Kaylen Frederick from contact and several others, highlighting the circuit's demanding nature with its limited runoff areas.[43] Local interest centered on Australia's three entrants: Christian Mansell (Campos Racing), Hugh Barter (Campos Racing), and Tommy Smith (Van Amersfoort Racing). Mansell retired on lap 1 after contact with Montoya at Turn 3, while Smith crashed out on lap 12 in the sprint but recovered to 12th in the feature race.[43][41] Barter, involved in an early sprint incident with Cohen but continuing, finished 15th in the feature after starting from 22nd.[41][40] None scored points, but the home round provided valuable experience on the iconic track.[40]Round 3: Monaco
The third round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the iconic Circuit de Monaco from 25 to 28 May, marking the series' return to the principality after a 39-year absence. The event featured the challenging 3.337 km street circuit, known for its narrow layout, elevation changes, and barriers that leave little margin for error, testing drivers' precision and bravery. Qualifying was split into two groups of 15 drivers each to manage the tight schedule alongside Formula 1 and Formula 2 activities, with the overall pole determined by the fastest lap across both sessions.[44] In Qualifying Group A, Dino Beganovic of Prema Racing posted the quickest time of 1:23.880, while Group B saw Gabriele Minì of Hitech Pulse-Eight set the overall fastest lap at 1:23.278 to secure pole position for the Feature Race. Minì's lap showcased exceptional pace through the tight Loews hairpin and the Swimming Pool section, ahead of Beganovic by 0.602 seconds. The session highlighted the competitive depth, with the top 10 overall within one second, underscoring the circuit's demand for flawless execution.[45][46] The Sprint Race on Saturday, starting from a partially reversed grid for the top 12 from qualifying, delivered immediate drama as drivers jostled for position at the narrow start-finish straight. Martí, starting from eighth on the grid, capitalized on the chaos to pull away early, leading every lap to claim his second victory of the season in a lights-to-flag performance. He finished 8.1 seconds ahead of Trident's Leonardo Fornaroli, who secured his first F3 podium, while ART Grand Prix's Grégoire Saucy rounded out the top three after intense battles through the Nouvelle Chicane. The race saw several incidents, including contact at the first corner that eliminated two cars, emphasizing the unforgiving nature of Monaco's barriers.[47][48] Sunday's Feature Race intensified the action on the tight street track, where overtaking opportunities were scarce beyond DRS zones at the start and after the Nouvelle Chicane. Pole-sitter Minì converted his advantage into a maiden F3 win, holding off a late charge from Prema's Dino Beganovic, who finished second after a bold move on Aron for P2 on the final lap. Aron completed the podium in third, but the race was punctuated by close-quarters duels and minor contact, such as at the tight right-hander after the tunnel, where drivers had no room for error amid the Armco barriers. Minì's victory, his first in the series, came after managing tires effectively over 27 laps, crossing the line 0.9 seconds clear of Beganovic in a display of composure under pressure.[45][46] The Monaco round held significant historic context for FIA Formula 3, reviving a tradition dating back to the 1970s when the series regularly featured on the support bill for the Grand Prix. Races were held annually from 1970 to 1978, except 1972 and 1976, often serving as a proving ground for future stars like Lewis Hamilton, who dominated the 2005 event. After a standalone race in 1983 and a non-championship event in 1984, F3 returned to Monaco in 2023 as part of the FIA's push to align the championship more closely with Formula 1, blending glamour with high-stakes racing on one of motorsport's most prestigious circuits.[49]Round 4: Spain
The fourth round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 2 to 4 June, serving as support to the Spanish Grand Prix. Unlike the preceding Monaco event, which featured a tight, low-speed street circuit demanding precision and overtaking caution, Barcelona's 4.657 km layout emphasized high-speed corners and long straights, placing greater stress on tire management and aerodynamic setups. This venue allowed for more fluid racing, with opportunities for strategic pit stops and on-track battles, contributing to a weekend of competitive action among the 30-car field.[50] Qualifying unfolded under dry conditions on Friday afternoon, with drivers completing laps on a track known for its demanding tire wear. Local driver Josep María Martí of Campos Racing claimed his maiden FIA Formula 3 pole position with a lap time of 1:27.587, edging out Taylor Barnard of Jenzer Motorsport by 0.250 seconds. Franco Colapinto in the MP Motorsport car secured third place, 0.347 seconds off the pace, while Prema Racing's Dino Beganović and Paul Aron rounded out the top five. Championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto qualified sixth for Trident, highlighting the tight field where the top 10 were covered by less than one second. Martí's performance was a standout, leveraging home advantage to set the benchmark in the session's final minutes.[50] The sprint race on Saturday morning started from a partially reversed grid, with Zak O'Sullivan of Prema Racing launching from pole. O'Sullivan controlled the race from the front, defending against pressure from Hitech Pulse-Eight's Luke Browning to secure his second victory of the season in 36:53.410. Browning claimed his first F3 podium in second, fending off Leonardo Fornaroli of Trident, who finished third despite late-race challenges. The race saw two safety car interventions: the first on lap 1 following Ido Cohen's crash, and the second on lap 16 after a collision between Gabriele Mini and Christian Mansell, which earned Mini a 10-second penalty. Bortoleto's fourth-place finish extended his drivers' championship lead to 80 points, underscoring Prema's strong weekend.[51] In Sunday's feature race, Martí converted his pole into a commanding lights-to-flag victory, crossing the line 4.463 seconds ahead of Colapinto after 25 laps in 41:21.348. Tire management proved crucial on the abrasive Barcelona surface, with Martí maintaining consistent pace post-pit stops and after a lap-7 safety car triggered by contact between Browning and Fornaroli at the start. Colapinto, starting third, capitalized on Barnard's early retirement to claim second, while Beganović held third for Prema despite a late three-wide skirmish involving O'Sullivan that led to penalties for others. The win marked Campos Racing's first feature race triumph of 2023 and boosted Martí to fifth in the standings, demonstrating effective strategy in managing degradation on the medium and hard compounds.[52]Round 5: Austria
The fifth round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria, from 30 June to 2 July, supporting the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. The circuit's short layout and elevation changes provided ample overtaking opportunities, particularly through the high-speed Turns 3 and 4, contributing to dynamic racing across both events. Weather played a significant role, with forecasts predicting wet conditions that materialized during the sprint race, adding unpredictability to the proceedings.[53] Qualifying on 1 July saw ART Grand Prix driver Grégoire Saucy secure pole position with a lap time of 1:20.457, marking his first front-row start of the season after Prema Racing's Paul Aron had his fastest effort deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 4. Saucy's time edged out Aron by just 0.064 seconds, while Trident's Gabriel Bortoleto rounded out the top three in a session disrupted by multiple track limits violations that shuffled the order. The top 10 were covered by less than 0.3 seconds, highlighting the tight competition at the 4.318 km circuit.[54] The sprint race on 1 July, run in changing wet-to-dry conditions after early rain, was won by Paul Aron of Prema Racing, who started eighth on the reversed grid and capitalized on the chaos to take his maiden F3 victory. Aron methodically picked off leaders, including a decisive pass on Campos Racing's Josep Maria Marti on lap 6, finishing 1.5 seconds ahead of the field in a 20-minute contest shortened by the weather. The rain-slicked track led to several incidents, including spins for pole-sitter Saucy and Hitech Pulse-Eight's Isack Hadjar, underscoring the challenges of tire management in variable conditions.[55][56] In the feature race on 2 July, under drier skies, Prema Racing's Zak O'Sullivan claimed his first win of the season after a thrilling battle involving six lead changes. Starting third, O'Sullivan overtook Saucy—who led from pole initially—on lap 3 into Turn 1, then defended against Bortoleto's late charge to win by 0.844 seconds after 26 laps. The race featured aggressive overtaking, with notable moves like Dino Beganovic's pass on Marti for third, though safety cars neutralized some gaps following contact between Van Amersfoort Racing's Caio Collet and others. O'Sullivan's victory propelled him up the standings, demonstrating Prema's strong pace on the undulating track.[57][56]Round 6: United Kingdom
The sixth round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, from 7 to 9 July, as part of the British Grand Prix support bill. The event drew a record attendance of 480,000 spectators over the weekend, with significant home support for British drivers including Zak O'Sullivan, Luke Browning, Taylor Barnard, and Oliver Gray. The high-speed layout of Silverstone, emphasizing fast corners like Maggotts and Becketts, tested the drivers' abilities in varying weather conditions that played a pivotal role in both races.[58][59] Qualifying on Friday afternoon saw Trident secure a front-row lockout for the first time in the season. Leonardo Fornaroli claimed his maiden F3 pole position with a lap time of 1:45.520, improving on his final flying lap to edge out teammate Oliver Goethe by 0.126 seconds. Josep Maria Martí rounded out the top three for Campos Racing, 0.354 seconds off the pace, while Christian Mansell and Gabriel Bortoleto completed an impressive top five that included four different teams. Among the British contingent, Browning qualified eighth for Prema Racing, O'Sullivan ninth for the same team, and Barnard tenth for Jenzer Motorsport, setting up a strong reverse-grid start for the sprint race; Gray, however, struggled to 22nd for Carlin. The session was clean with no major incidents, highlighting Trident's strong setup for the fast circuit.[60][61] The sprint race on Saturday morning unfolded in chaotic, mixed conditions under threatening skies, with the top 10 from qualifying reversed for the grid—Barnard starting from pole ahead of O'Sullivan and Browning. A light rain shower hit just before the start, prompting varied tyre choices, but heavier downpour on lap 8 led to a safety car. Sebastian Montoya, who had risen to the lead after early battles, collided with Barnard at Turn 1 on the restart lap 13, handing the advantage to Franco Colapinto of MP Motorsport, who had started seventh on the reverse grid (fourth in qualifying) and gambled on staying on slicks. Colapinto pulled away as the track dried, securing his and MP's first win of the season by 3.730 seconds over Bortoleto in second, with Mansell third after a strong recovery. The British drivers faced setbacks: Browning finished 13th after a spin, O'Sullivan 18th, Barnard retired from the incident, and Gray 25th; the race featured eight retirements amid the wet chaos.[62][61] Sunday's feature race started dry under Fornaroli's pole-position lead, with Goethe pressuring closely from second and Martí holding third after an early overtake on Mansell. The race saw two safety car interventions: the first on lap 2 following a multi-car incident at Copse that eliminated Browning on his home soil, and the second on lap 17 after Roberto Faria's heavy crash at the same corner. Goethe capitalized during the restarts, overtaking Fornaroli on lap 15 as the Italian struggled with tyre degradation on the demanding track. Late rain from lap 17 added tension but did not alter the order, with Goethe holding on for his maiden F3 victory—a Trident 1-2 ahead of Fornaroli, while Martí completed the podium 2.128 seconds back. O'Sullivan recovered to 19th for Prema, Barnard to 21st, and Gray to 20th, as the home crowd cheered the British efforts despite the challenges; notable retirements included Esterson, Edgar, and Faria. The round underscored Silverstone's prestige and the impact of weather on strategy.[63][61]Round 7: Hungary
The Hungaroring hosted the seventh round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship on 21–23 July, presenting drivers with a challenging 2.722-mile circuit known for its tight, twisty layout reminiscent of a street track, which limited overtaking opportunities and emphasized precise tire management and endurance under summer conditions. Air temperatures reached around 30°C during the weekend, with track surfaces exceeding 50°C, placing significant strain on the Pirelli tires and testing driver stamina over the demanding sessions. Qualifying took place in variable wet-to-dry conditions on Saturday morning, where a drying line emerged late in the 30-minute session, allowing teams to switch to medium-compound slicks for competitive laps.[64][65] Zak O'Sullivan of PREMA Racing secured pole position with a lap time of 1:31.091, his second in the series that year, edging out teammate Dino Beganović by 0.403 seconds for a PREMA front-row lockout; Leonardo Fornaroli completed the top three for Trident, while a red flag from Oliver Gray's crash briefly interrupted proceedings.[64] The sprint race on Saturday afternoon, starting from a reverse grid of the top 10 qualifiers, saw Gabriele Mini of Hitech Pulse-Eight convert the pole into victory after reclaiming the lead from Nikita Bedrin on lap 8, finishing 4.292 seconds ahead despite a safety car period triggered by Sebastian Montoya's retirement on lap 13.[66] Gabriel Bortoleto finished second for Trident after a last-lap pass on Bedrin, who earned Jenzer Motorsport's first podium of the season in third, while incidents like a lap-1 clash between Joshua Dufek and Tommy Smith and a restart spin involving Josep Maria Martí and Nikola Tsolov added to the chaos.[66] In the feature race on Sunday, O'Sullivan dominated from lights out to the chequered flag over 19 laps, leading every circuit to claim his third win of the season and equal the FIA F3 single-season victory record with a flawless performance that propelled him into serious title contention, finishing 10.068 seconds clear of Beganović.[67] Franco Colapinto rounded out the podium in third for MP Motorsport after early progress from fourth on the grid, with Oliver Goethe fourth for Trident and Paul Aron fifth for PREMA; notable moves included Martí's charge from 13th to sixth, showcasing strong race pace on the heat-stressed track where tire degradation demanded conservative strategies to maintain grip through the sector-heavy layout.[67] The high temperatures amplified the circuit's endurance test, with drivers reporting physical fatigue and teams focusing on hydration and setup tweaks to combat the thermal challenges.[65]Round 8: Belgium
The 2023 Belgian round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps from 28 to 30 July, serving as a high-stakes event amid variable summer weather that tested drivers' adaptability on the demanding 7.004 km track known for its elevation changes and high-speed sections.[68] The weekend featured practice sessions affected by rain, setting the stage for a qualifying session on Saturday and races on Sunday, where strategic tire choices played a pivotal role in outcomes.[69] In qualifying, Campos Racing driver Josep María Martí claimed pole position with a late lap time of 2:22.160, edging out Leonardo Fornaroli of Trident by just 0.016 seconds as the track dried rapidly in the final minutes.[69] Gabriele Minì rounded out the top three for Hitech Pulse-Eight at 0.094 seconds off the pace, while several drivers, including Zak O'Sullivan, had held provisional pole earlier in the 30-minute session.[69] Martí's effort kept his championship aspirations alive, positioning him to start from the front for the feature race.[69] The sprint race, held first on Sunday morning, unfolded in tricky damp conditions and was marred by multiple high-speed incidents that led to two safety car periods and retirements among title contenders.[70] Caio Collet of Van Amersfoort Racing started fourth but seized the lead on the opening lap with a bold move on Taylor Barnard, ultimately winning by 0.559 seconds over the Jenzer Motorsport driver, with Paul Aron of PREMA third.[68] Key crashes included Gabriel Bortoleto's retirement after contact with Dino Beganovic on lap 9, and a collision at Pouhon involving Martí, Minì, and Ido Cohen that triggered the second safety car; these high-speed impacts at Spa's fast corners raised ongoing safety concerns about visibility and runoff areas in mixed conditions.[70] The race concluded under safety car after 15 laps, with points awarded based on the finishing order.[70] The feature race later that afternoon highlighted Spa's weather variability, starting in light rain that prompted most drivers, including pole-sitter Martí on slicks, to gamble on tire strategy, while Barnard and others opted for wets that proved advantageous in the early stages.[71] Barnard, starting 10th, rapidly climbed to second before inheriting the lead when Martí pitted for slicks, and he held off a charging Christian Mansell to secure his maiden F3 victory by 1.529 seconds after 15 laps.[68] A safety car on lap 4 followed Oliver Goethe's crash at the high-speed Eau Rouge complex, where aquaplaning risks were amplified by standing water, and further variability at Pouhon forced drivers to manage grip differentials between wet and drying lines.[71] Nikita Bedrin completed the podium for Jenzer, marking the team's first podiums of the season, while Bortoleto's 11th-place finish in the feature race, despite a sprint DNF, maintained his lead as rivals also scored limited points.[71] The incidents underscored persistent safety issues at Spa, including the challenges of high-speed corners in fluctuating weather that contributed to several DNFs.[68]Round 9: Italy
The ninth and final round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship took place at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza from 1 to 3 September, serving as the season's climax where the drivers' and teams' titles were decided. Heading into the weekend, Gabriel Bortoleto of Trident held a commanding 38-point lead over Paul Aron of Prema Racing, positioning him to potentially secure the championship with a strong qualifying performance. The high-speed Italian circuit, known for its long straights and overtaking opportunities, promised intense battles among the top contenders, including Pepe Martí of Campos Racing, who was also in the mathematical fight for the title.[72] In qualifying on Friday, Trident's Oliver Goethe claimed his maiden pole position with a lap time of 1:38.909, edging out Caio Collet of Van Amersfoort Racing by 0.092 seconds. Bortoleto qualified fifth with a time of 1:39.261, a result sufficient to mathematically clinch the drivers' championship as his rivals Aron (third, 1:39.043) and Martí (13th, 1:40.114) could no longer catch him even with maximum points available over the weekend. The session was disrupted by a red flag after Goethe's own crash following his pole lap, but his time stood, highlighting Trident's strong pace at the finale. This marked the first time since 2019 that a rookie had won the F3 title, with Bortoleto becoming the first Brazilian champion in the series' history.[72] The sprint race on Saturday unfolded in frenetic conditions, with Franco Colapinto of MP Motorsport securing victory in 34:06.988 after a race featuring multiple safety cars and incidents. Starting from eighth on the reversed grid, Colapinto navigated chaos—including a first-lap collision involving Martí, who retired early—to claim his record-equalling fourth win of the season, fending off Bortoleto, who finished second, 1.325 seconds behind. The result boosted Colapinto to fourth in the standings but did little to alter the title landscape, as Bortoleto's podium extended his championship lead to 41 points. Aron salvaged sixth place amid the disruptions, while Prema's Dino Beganović rounded out the top five.[73] Sunday's feature race saw Jonny Edgar of MP Motorsport claim his maiden F3 victory in a tense 22-lap affair, holding off a late charge from Zane Maloney of Carlin to win by 0.031 seconds in 47:05.178. Bortoleto started from fifth and maintained a solid pace to finish fifth, 1.515 seconds behind Edgar, earning additional points that underscored his dominant rookie campaign with two feature race wins and consistent points finishes. Martí's championship hopes ended with another DNF after contact, while Aron took second place, securing runner-up honors in the standings. The podium featured Edgar, Aron, and Maloney, with Prema's Oliver Bearman in fourth.[74] Post-race celebrations at Monza centered on Bortoleto's title triumph, confirmed after qualifying but amplified by his consistent weekend results, culminating in a 52-point margin over Aron in the final standings. The Brazilian's success with Trident highlighted the team's resurgence, though Prema Racing defended their teams' championship with 327 points to Trident's 308, thanks to strong contributions from Aron, Bearman, and Beganović throughout the season. The event capped a competitive year, with Monza once again proving a historic venue for F3 title deciders.[75][4]Results and standings
Season summary
The 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship delivered a highly competitive season across nine rounds—the original 10-round calendar reduced after the Imola round was cancelled due to flooding—with ten different drivers securing race victories in the 18 events contested. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto dominated the drivers' standings for Trident, amassing 164 points through consistent results, including two feature race wins and six podium finishes, to clinch the title mathematically during qualifying at Monza.[4][31][76] Prema Racing extended their stronghold on the series by winning the teams' championship with 327 points, their fourth title in five FIA F3 seasons, driven by a collective effort that yielded five race wins and 13 podiums from drivers Zak O'Sullivan, Paul Aron, and Dino Beganovic—all finishing in the top six overall.[6][77] O'Sullivan led the win tally with four triumphs, ahead of Campos Racing's Pepe Martí with three, while Campos Racing's Martí contributed to the diverse winner count.[5] Rivalries intensified late in the year, highlighted by Colapinto's surge with MP Motorsport, where he claimed two wins—including the Monza sprint race—to rise to fourth in the standings with 110 points and challenge for runner-up honors. Rookies left a strong mark beyond Bortoleto's championship, with Colapinto's podium-heavy campaign and the debut of 16-year-old Nikola Tsolov as the series' youngest driver underscoring the influx of emerging talent.[78][5]Scoring system
The scoring system for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship awarded points to the top 10 classified finishers in each race, with additional bonuses for pole position and fastest lap.[2] In the feature race, points were distributed as follows: 25 for 1st place, 18 for 2nd, 15 for 3rd, 12 for 4th, 10 for 5th, 8 for 6th, 6 for 7th, 4 for 8th, 2 for 9th, and 1 for 10th. Two points were awarded to the driver starting from pole position on the feature race grid. One additional point was given for the fastest valid lap time in the feature race, provided the driver finished among the top 10 classified finishers and the race leader had completed at least 50% of the scheduled distance.[2] For the sprint race, points were allocated to the top 10 finishers: 10 for 1st place, 9 for 2nd, 8 for 3rd, 7 for 4th, 6 for 5th, 5 for 6th, 4 for 7th, 3 for 8th, 2 for 9th, and 1 for 10th. One point was awarded for the fastest valid lap time, subject to the same conditions as in the feature race. No points were awarded for pole position in the sprint race. In cases of shortened races, reduced points scales applied based on the percentage of distance completed, ranging from no points for less than two laps to full points for 75% or more.[2] The drivers' championship standings were determined by the total points accumulated across all events, including bonuses. If two or more drivers were tied on points at the end of the season, tiebreakers were applied in order: the highest number of 1st-place finishes (prioritizing feature race wins first, then sprint race wins), followed by the highest number of 2nd-place finishes, then 3rd-place finishes, and so on through the finishing positions until a decisive difference was found. If still tied, the FIA Promoter would designate the champion based on additional criteria.[79] For the teams' championship, points were calculated by summing the scores of all three drivers from each team in every race and qualifying session. The same points allocation and tiebreaker procedures applied to the teams' standings, with ties resolved by the highest number of 1st-place finishes for team cars, then 2nd places, and subsequent positions.[79]| Position | Feature Race Points | Sprint Race Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 25 | 10 |
| 2nd | 18 | 9 |
| 3rd | 15 | 8 |
| 4th | 12 | 7 |
| 5th | 10 | 6 |
| 6th | 8 | 5 |
| 7th | 6 | 4 |
| 8th | 4 | 3 |
| 9th | 2 | 2 |
| 10th | 1 | 1 |
Drivers' Championship standings
Gabriel Bortoleto clinched the 2023 Drivers' Championship with a commanding performance, securing the title during qualifying at the Monza round by virtue of his insurmountable points lead, becoming the first Brazilian to win the crown in the series' modern era.[80] As a rookie, Bortoleto also dominated the rookie classification, finishing well ahead of his counterparts with no other first-year driver challenging for the overall title.[5] The final standings reflected a competitive season with 10 different race winners across 18 races in nine rounds, highlighting the depth of talent in the field. Below is the top 10 in the Drivers' Championship, including key statistics on wins, pole positions, and fastest laps.| Pos. | Driver | Nationality | Team | Points | Wins | Poles | Fastest Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Brazil | Trident | 164 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Zak O'Sullivan | United Kingdom | Prema Racing | 119 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Paul Aron | Estonia | Prema Racing | 112 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Franco Colapinto | Argentina | MP Motorsport | 110 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Josep Maria Martí | Spain | Campos Racing | 105 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | Dino Beganovic | Sweden | Prema Racing | 96 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Gabriele Mini | Italy | Hitech Grand Prix | 92 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | Oliver Goethe | Denmark | Trident | 75 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 | Caio Collet | Brazil | Van Amersfoort Racing | 73 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Taylor Barnard | United Kingdom | Jenzer Motorsport | 72 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Teams' Championship standings
The Teams' Championship in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship was decided by aggregating the points scored by all drivers within each team across the season's nine rounds, following the standard scoring system where points from sprint and feature races, pole positions, and fastest laps were combined.[6] Prema Racing secured the title with a dominant performance, amassing 327 points and clinching the championship in the final round despite strong competition from Trident.[6] The final standings are presented below:| Pos. | Team | Points | Sprint Wins | Feature Wins | Poles | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prema Racing | 327 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
| 2 | Trident | 308 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | MP Motorsport | 194 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | Campos Racing | 179 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | Hitech Grand Prix | 170 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | Jenzer Motorsport | 108 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Van Amersfoort Racing | 75 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | ART Grand Prix | 71 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | AIX Racing | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Rodin Motorsport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |