The Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 Series is set to expand its European reach in 2013, in a move to merge with the European Championship.
In a press conference last weekend, Stéphane Ratel – founder of series promoter SRO Motorsports Group – unveiled a ten round calendar, including four national UK circuits and five Grand Prix tracks.
The now legendary Pau Grand Prix will once again feature on the calendar for its 72nd running.
As in previous seasons, the national UK rounds (Oulton Park, Rockingham, Snetterton and Brands Hatch) will act as a support to the British GT Series.
The single-seater category will also be a support for the Blancpain Endurance Series when that visits Monza, Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps and the beleaguered Nurburgring.
Pau is, as per usual, a stand-alone event.
The proposed merger between the British series and the revived European Championship may cause ripples in Germany, where the Formula 3 Euro Series has shared a bulk of the European events.
It will still be some time before the calendar is to be confirmed however. This proposal to align the British Series with the European Championship will require FIA approval and that is not expected for some time yet.
A redefined television package is also in the offing should the calendar get the go ahead, with far more events expected to be broadcast live. Details of that package have yet to emerge.
2013 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series (provisional) 30 March Oulton Park International (supporting British GT) 14 April Monza, Italy (Blancpain Endurance) 05 May Rockingham (British GT) 19 May 72nd Grand Prix de Pau, France 02 June Silverstone Grand Prix (Blancpain Endurance) 09 June Snetterton (tbc) (British GT) 30 June Paul Ricard, France (Blancpain Endurance) 27 July Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (Blancpain Endurance) 22 September Nürburgring, Germany (tbc) (Blancpain Endurance) 06 October Brands Hatch Grand Prix (British GT)
