The new race weekend formats that will be used by Formula 2 and Formula 3 from the 2021 seasons have been revealed.
It was previously confirmed that three races would take place per weekend as part of cost cutting measures that sees each series reduce its calendar.
F2 and F3 will support the F1 roster next year though neither series will occur on the same weekend as each other, with F2 joining at eight events and F3 at seven.
No alterations have been made to Friday’s running, with one practice session of 45 minutes and one qualifying session of 30 minutes taking place.
On Saturday, there will be two Sprint Races during the day. For F2, the grid for the first race will be set by reversing the top 10 of Friday’s Qualifying session.
The second Sprint Race grid will be determined by reversing the top 10 finishers of the first race earlier in the day.
Sunday’s Feature Race grid will see the drivers line-up as per the results of Friday’s Qualifying session.
For F3, the top 12 qualifiers will be reversed for Sprint Race 1, before those that finish inside the top 12 are reversed for the start of Sprint Race 2.
The third F3 race, for which the most points will be allocated, will take place on Sunday, with that grid determined by the qualifying results.
The distribution of points remains the same as 2020, with scoring possible for pole position and the fastest lap, however due to the extra Sprint Race, the maximum number of points that can be scored in a weekend has been raised from 48 to 65.
F2 will now have six sets of dry weather tyres to use per weekend instead of five, with four sets of prime and two sets of options, as well as three sets of wet-weather compounds.
F3 drivers will have five sets of dry weather tyres, an increase from four in 2020, and two sets of wet-weather tyres for the weekend.
“I am pleased to reveal the changes to our sporting regulations which have been approved by the World Motor Sport Council,” said F2 CEO Bruno Michel.
“It’s fantastic to be able to move the Feature Race to Sunday which is the day of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. It will enhance the show for the fans and will make it even more special.
“Having two reversed-grids on Saturday will spice up the championship even further. We have seen already how entertaining these races are. It should also allow more drivers to showcase their skills in front of the Formula 1 paddock and the rest of the world.”
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