F3: FIA Formula 3 has unveiled its brand-new car for 2025
With the F3 season having come to an end at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza last weekend, the FIA Formula 3 has unveiled the car that the series will use from 2025 onwards.
The brand-new car will be used in the 2025, 2026 and 2027 F3 seasons. The series noted that the design philosophy of this new car "is to give young drivers who aspire to race in Formula 2 and Formula 1 the best opportunity to progress through the pyramid."
The new look of the F3 2025 car is in line with the latest F2 and F1 family, reflecting the same safety, systems, and performance, at affordable costs. It complies with the latest FIA safety standards and is powered by a bespoke 6-cylinder 3.4-litre naturally aspirated Mecachrome engine, which delivers 380 horsepower at 8000 rpm.
The new car is planned to run on Aramco’s advanced fuel, which is being developed to be compliant with the FIA’s 100% sustainable fuel standard in 2025.
This fuel, also planned to be used in the F2 Championship, is intended as a step forward in the Formula 1 group’s drive to be Net Zero by 2030. The new car will also run on new Pirelli 16” tyre which from 2025 will have a natural rubber component certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Formula 3 has vowed that the "2025 car has been designed to boost overtaking capabilities, which will produce exciting on-track action and the new cockpit has been designed to improve the ergonomics and driver installation to accommodate a wide range of racers."
The car systems will still include marshalling such as Virtual Safety Car (VSC), an optimised Drag Reduction System (DRS) and a new Marelli Vehicle Control Unit (VCU), identical to the current F2 car.
The F3 2025 made a successful shakedown test last June in Varano, with former F2 driver Tatiana Calderon at the wheel. Since then, it has covered 2,000 kilometres across several development tests. Following today’s unveiling, the development programme will continue for the remainder of the year.
A first car will be delivered to the teams before the end of December 2024, and the other two cars will be supplied in mid-January 2025. The teams and drivers will first be able to experience the new generation car at the official pre-season tests, in early 2025.
Reflecting on the new car, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The unveiling of the FIA Formula 3 2025 car marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to developing the next generation of racing talent.
This car is more than just a step forward in technology and sustainability; it represents a critical step in the FIA’s single-seater ladder. By aligning closely with FIA Formula 2 and Formula 1 aerodynamics, the new F3 car offers young drivers an essential platform to develop their skills, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead in the higher categories.
“In addition to updated safety and performance, we are proud that this new generation of cars integrates cutting-edge technology initiatives aimed at helping to reduce racing carbon emissions, running on advanced fuel that meets the FIA’s 100% sustainable fuel standard, just like Formula 1 from 2026. This demonstrates our commitment to work towards lowering motorsport's greenhouse gas emissions while driving innovation.
“Moreover, the enhanced cockpit design reflects our ongoing efforts to make motorsport more inclusive, ensuring that drivers of all physical profiles have the opportunity to compete at the highest level. This new FIA Formula 3 embodies the FIA’s vision of a sport that is progressive, inclusive, and sustainable.”
Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali commented: “The F3 Championship continues to deliver exhilarating racing, close title fights and most importantly is a fundamental training ground for future members of the Formula 1 grid.
"It is important that the next generation of stars can continue to hone their skills in an F3 car designed to help all drivers progress through the motorsport pyramid. This new car also takes a significant step forward in our sustainability journey by running on fuel that meets the FIA’s 100% sustainability fuel standard, an innovation that will come to Formula 1 in 2026.
"I’m excited to see it on the track in 2025 and I want to pay tribute to the great collaboration between the FIA and our Team, led by Bruno Michel," added Domenicali.
Commenting on the new car, FIA Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel noted: “I am very pleased to unveil our new F3 car, which will race for the next three seasons. Just like the current F2 car, together with the FIA, we have designed a machine that is challenging, safe, and the perfect tool to prepare young drivers who aspire to race in F1 in the future.
“The 2025 F3 car has been designed to provide exciting racing, with a lot of overtaking opportunities. We have also worked to ensure this new car fits all types of drivers, taking into account the FIA’s requirements regarding the steering effort.
"With this in mind, we have enhanced our car’s driveability and comfort to further ensure the new generation car is more inclusive.
“I’m also very proud of reaching another important milestone in terms of sustainability: thanks to our partner Aramco, the F3 car will run on advanced fuel, meeting the FIA 100% sustainable fuel standard as early as 2025, and several parts of the F3 2025 will use recycled carbon.
“As always, controlling costs has remained a hot topic when designing the F3 2025, so we have made sure to keep them as low as possible. We have also ensured that this new car can be managed with 11 operational people, as per the Sporting Regulations.
“Once again, I would like to thank our partners Aramco, Pirelli, Dallara, and Mecachrome, whose expertise and knowhow make this new car the best tool to prepare the F3 drivers on their way to the pinnacle of motorsport.”
