GP3 Series, Formula 3 May Merge In '19, Sources Say

The GP3 Series and the FIA’s Formula 3 European Championship "could effectively merge" for '19, according to Marcus Simmons of MOTORSPORT. The GP2 Series’ rebranding as the FIA Formula 2 Championship means that the existing GP3 Series "holds an apparently incongruous position" on the grand prix support bill beneath Formula 1 and F2 -- and in "direct competition to the FIA’s DTM-supporting F3 series." GP3’s existing contracts are understood to be in place until the end of '18, "leaving the FIA Single Seater Commission time to discuss a way to rationalise the third level of the single-seater ladder." Sources have "strongly refuted" rumors that GP2/GP3 CEO Bruno Michel -- who will stay on in charge of the F2 championship -- "allowed GP2’s rebranding as a trade-off for the FIA axeing the existing F3 European Championship in the future." A merger "could pave the way for a second-tier F3 championship run to FIA rules in Europe" (MOTORSPORT, 3/13).