FIA F3 Asia 2021 Championship: What Is The F3 Asia Championship?

Words by Ishaan Bhataiya

An open-wheel single-seater motor racing championship which focuses on performance, safety and cost control, while Asia provides the ideal showcase for drivers looking to make their mark in the world's most dynamic region. For the last three years, the Formula 3 Asian Championship would be held around many important circuits all over Asia. But, considering the current global pandemic, it has come down to a packed calendar in the UAE for its 4th year.  

The FIA has set parameters for what defines a Formula 3 car. The current Formula 3 championship is well described as a one-make championship, with 30 identical cars producing 380HP from a 3.4-litre 6-cylinder engine. The F3 Asia car, however, makes 270HP from a 1.7-litre in-line 4-cylinder Turbocharged engine. 

Formula 3 Asia is a championship where local, up-and-coming drivers, amateurs, and international drivers look to get as much seat time as possible, in scenarios almost replicating the more challenging race series worldwide, especially Formula 1 and 2. This helps them rake in points towards their FIA Race Licenses, garner further support from their sponsors, and in general, put their winter break to good use. 

The Formula 3 Asia Championship, certified by the sport's world governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), looks at providing young drivers with an opportunity to hone their skills and move up from Formula 4 to 1. Establishment of another regional FIA Formula 3 Championship provides a boost to the already growing ‘Junior Motorsport’ programmes in Asia. The Formula 4 Series in China, Japan, UAE, and Southeast Asia will act as a feeder series to the Formula 3 Asia Championship, providing a great place to compete at the regional level. 

The Tatuus F3 car being used in the Formula 3 Asia Championship complies with all the latest FIA specifications, including various safety features like the Halo device, and improved side impact protection. 

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The 2021 Formula 3 Asian Championship consists of five rounds, with three races per round. This means the seven teams will go head-to-head in 15 races to conclude the championship. The race-weekend format is quite different from the Formula 3 Championships. The teams go into Friday with a Free Practice session to start the day. Then comes the two Qualifying sessions, leading up to Race 1. Saturday will see the teams compete in Races 2 and 3 to round off the weekend. Qualifying 1 determines the starting grid for Race 1, the best-lap times of Race 1 determine the grid for Race 2, and Qualifying 2 defines the starting grid for Race 3.

Organised by the experienced pan-Asian promoter Top Speed (headquartered in Shanghai), the F3 Asia Championship comprises a professional team of individuals from all around the world. Apart from the Formula 3 Asia Championship, Top Speed works in unison with many big names in the industry and helps them put together various projects like the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, Audi R8 LMS Cup, and the Asian Le Mans Series, to name a few. 

Matthijs Hoitink is the series manager, assisted by Allen Bae and Trevor Johnson at the technical end, with Ravin as the Race Director.

The first round of the Formula 3 Asia Championship is scheduled for January 29-30, at the Dubai Autodrome.