Following a decision by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, Circuit Zandvoort in The Netherlands will be hosting the new FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup. Participation in the Cup is possible with Formula 3 cars built between 1 January, 1971 and 31 December, 1984. The FIA has chosen the former Grand Prix circuit in the dunes of the Dutch North Sea coast as the venue for the new annual event because of the long and rich history of Formula 3 racing at Zandvoort. The FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup will be a part of the Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort, a meeting that has quickly established itself as one of the most popular motor sport events in The Netherlands.    

The new FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup will be held as a single FIA Competition according to Appendix K of the Federation’s International Sporting Code. The event format includes one free practice session with a duration of 25 minutes, another 25 minutes of qualifying practice to determine the starting grid positions and two races of 25 minutes each. There will be two separate categories: Category 1 for Formula 3 cars with 1,600 or 2,000 cc engines built from 1971-1978 and Category 2 for Formula 3 cars with 2,000 cc engines built from 1979-1984. After each race, there will be a podium ceremony for the overall top three and awards for Category 2. The FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup will be awarded based on the aggregate results of race 1 and race 2. There will be two Cups, one for the winner in Category 1 and one for the winner in Category 2.

Circuit Zandvoort has a long-standing heritage as a venue for Formula 3 races. In the 1970s and early 1980s, the circuit was a regular fixture on the calendar of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship. In 1991, the inaugural Masters of Formula 3 event was held at Zandvoort as a one-off competition for the best drivers from the various national Formula 3 championships. The Masters of Formula 3 was held every year until 2016 and its winners’ list includes David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton as well as Jos and Max Verstappen. Since 2012, the FIA Formula 3 European Championship has held an event at Circuit Zandvoort every year, as had its predecessor, the Formula 3 Euro Series.

“We are delighted that the FIA has acknowledged the great history of Formula 3 racing at Circuit Zandvoort by allowing us to host the new FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup,” says Erik Weijers, C.O.O. of Circuit Zandvoort. “The addition of an FIA-sanctioned Formula 3 competition to the programme of our increasingly popular Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort will raise the profile of this event even more.” In 2018, the Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort will be held from 31 August until 2 September.

“The FIA has decided to create the Historic Formula 3 European Cup to celebrate Formula 3 as a pillar category in the history of Motor Sport,” explains Paolo Cantarella, President of the FIA Historic Motor Sport Commission. “There are several national Historic Formula 3 series in Europe and we want to recognize the importance of the category in an FIA labelled single event Cup in Zandvoort, in cooperation with the existing national series organisers. Cars will have to comply with Appendix K and will have to hold a valid Historic Technical Passport (HTP).”