The Formula European Masters series, which was meant to replace FIA European Formula 3 for 2019, has been cancelled by organisers.
As part of the FIA’s streamlining of its junior pyramid FIA Formula 3 has replaced the GP3 Series on Formula 1’s support bill for 2019, with the series run by Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel.
That in effect made European Formula 3 – which in recent years has been won by Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher – redundant, but organisers vowed to keep going under a new name.
Series promoters Formel 3 Vermarktungs GmbH intended to retain a similar format and calendar to 2018 – running as a support package to DTM – and had announced DTM and Super Formula tests as prizes.
But only six drivers had so far been signed to just three teams and on Friday organisers announced the “bitter decision” to cancel the championship.
“This is a really sad day for the European young-driver sport,” said Walter Mertes, Managing Director of the Formel 3 Vermarktungs GmbH.
“In the difficult European competition environment there just aren’t enough drivers for the numerous different series.
“It takes enormous financial expenditure to compensate for this situation and we could not and did not want to expect this from our teams.”
The new-for-2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship will begin alongside May's Spanish Grand Prix.
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