Australian Formula 3 Management has publicly reacted to news that CAMS will introduce a second wings-and-slicks development class, Formula 4, into the country in 2015.
The category had initially declined to pass comment on its position in the wake of Thursday’s F4 announcement from CAMS, which ominously made no mention of F3 or its future.
CAMS chief executive Eugene Arocca subsequently told Speedcafe.com, however, that the governing body is aiming for a domestic three-tier path of karts, Formula 4 and Formula 3.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s full interview with Eugene Arocca
Attracting healthy field sizes has been a persistent issue for Australian F3 since its initial season in 2001; a situation not helped this year by uncertainty over CAMS’ future plans.
With the landscape now clearer, AF3 category manager Ian Richards is adamant that his category can thrive alongside Formula 4.
“It is most welcome that Eugene (Arocca) and CAMS has identified Formula 3 as a crucial part of its new plan to progress our talented drivers from karting through Formula 4, and then to Formula 3 on the ladder to Formula 1 or IndyCar,” he said in the statement.
“This is exactly what the sport needs. Formula 3 is the acknowledged international stepping stone to Formula 1 and with CAMS support the future is extremely bright.
“We have already had highly productive discussions with CAMS regarding Formula 3 in Australia with particular emphasis on high profile venues for the championship, the retention of Formula 3 as the premiere open-wheel formula in Australia for the Gold Star and working closely in respect to raising the profile of F3.
“Teams, sponsors, promoters, and our pool of talented young drivers are now assured that Australian Formula 3 is a vital ongoing part of the matrix to international success at the highest levels of the sport.
“Our 2014 calendar will be finalised this week and represents the strongest schedule assembled for Formula 3 in the history of the championship in Australia, which will provide us with a strong launching pad for the future.”
F3 has already confirmed six of its eight 2014 rounds, with Sandown, Queensland Raceway, Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park appearances with the Shannons Nationals joined by a return to the Bathurst Motor Festival and Hidden Valley V8 Supercars event.
The remaining two events are expected to be announced in conjunction with the 2014 Clipsal 500 launch on Thursday.
The 2013 Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship will conclude this weekend at Sandown, with Tim Macrow heading to the event holding a healthy 34 point margin over Team BRM team-mate John Magro.
