The FIA has confirmed that the new FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship cars will be used for this year’s Macau GP, while the Lisboa barrier has been re-profiled.
The 2018 Macau GP event was marred by a heavy crash for Sophia Floersch as the Van Amersfoort Racing driver was forced out for months after injuring herself. She recovered well and currently races in FIA Formula Regional European Championship.
Following the crash, the FIA undertook an extensive study and has now confirmed a re-profiling of the Lisboa barrier, which played a role in Floersch flying into the safety fence. Her car ran over a kerb in the right-hander, which gave it momentum into the fence.
While the FIA has not detailed on the changes but has noted about re-profiling of the corner. In addition, the governing body also confirmed the use of the latest F3 cars for this year’s Macau GP event after the end of the European F3 series after 2018.
The 66th running of the Macau GP – also known as FIA Formula 3 World Cup – will take place on November 14-17 weekend. FIA Single-Seater Commission President, Stefano Domenicali, said: “The FIA F3 World Cup is one of the ultimate tests for young drivers.
“We have worked hard to ensure it remains among the most prestigious events on the motor sport calendar. We are currently enjoying a hugely competitive and hard-fought FIA F3 Championship season, and the prospect of seeing this impressive grid line up in Macau is very exciting.
“These cars are more powerful than the previous iterations of F3, and have the latest safety features for single-seater machines. Couple this with the changes being made to the Guia Circuit this year, and I’m looking forward to a safe and spectacular FIA F3 World Cup.”
At the same time, the FIA Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel added: “I am extremely pleased to bring the new generation F3 car to race at such a prestigious and legendary Grand Prix which is not part of the FIA Formula 3 Championship.”
The statement from the FIA regarding the changes read as: “The circuit is undoubtedly one of the most challenging anywhere in the world, and safety remains the top priority for the FIA, with several updates being made ahead of the 2019 edition including the re-profiling of the barriers at Lisboa corner.”
Van Amersfoort enters Formula Regional with Floersch in 2019 after
Whiting feels reliability will be ‘much better’ for 2019 F3 car than 2018’s F2