SMP Racing protege Alexander Smolyar will compete in the FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship in 2020 with ART Grand Prix.
Having raced in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2019, where he finished third overall, Smolyar will step up in 2020 for his first year in F3 with French outfit, ART. The SMP-backed racer is the first to be announced for the team, while only third confirmed driver.
“I am very happy that I will take part in the FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship with the well-known and experienced ART Grand Prix team,” said Smolyar. “This championship will be a big challenge for me.
“I think for the first time in my life I will encounter such a serious level of competition. I will try to meet the expectations that SMP Racing and ART Grand Prix. I’m sure that with their support and help it will be easier for me to adapt to the new championship.
“I’m already looking forward to the start of pre-season testing in March.” At the same time, ART team boss Sebastien Philippe added: “Alexander has been on ART Grand Prix’s radar since his remarkable debut in single-seaters.
“He is still young, he only has 3 years of single seaters under his belt but he has the maturity to manage a championship and the pressure of a race weekend, where the slightest error is paid for in cash.
“He is part of a thriving Russian industry and he impressed ART Grand Prix with his skills and character. He is one of those drivers with whom we know we will have all the tools to do a good job, starting from the first race in 2020.”
2020 F3 line-up so far:
Jenzer Motorsport: Calan Williams
Prema Racing: Logan Sargeant
ART Grand Prix: Alexander Smolyar
Here’s the changed F2 and F3 regulations for 2020 after Mahaveer Raghunathan’s case
