Dallara has been the dominant constructor in Formula Three for decades, supplying successive generations of chassis to national and international Formula Three championships. The F308 followed the F305, which had itself been introduced in 2005 and updated through annual aerodynamic upgrade kits as the F306 and F307. The F308 continued that same approach of a core chassis built to last multiple seasons with incremental annual development kits allowing competitive longevity.
The F308 is built around a carbon fibre reinforced plastic monocoque, a construction standard common to higher-level single-seaters that provides a strong and lightweight safety cell. The car's layout is conventional for Formula Three: mid-engined with free-standing, uncovered wheels. The monocoque provides the structural backbone to which the suspension, engine, and aerodynamic bodywork are attached.
Two gearbox options were homologated for use with the F308: the Hewland FTR and the Pankl DGB03. Both are shifted manually using a traditional shift lever positioned on the right side of the cockpit, with gear changes executed via ignition interruption rather than a clutch operation. This manual sequential shifting arrangement is a defining characteristic of the category, demanding a high degree of mechanical empathy and precision from drivers.
The front and rear wing elements, front and rear crash structures, and wheel carriers are all homologated components — meaning teams must use Dallara's specified parts in these areas. However, the bodywork surrounding the structural elements is an area where teams have some freedom to work. A practical example of this latitude was seen across the Formula Three Euroseries, where teams chose to remove the chimneys on the sidepods and laminate the sidepods closed, a modification that altered the car's visual appearance while remaining within regulations.
A key feature of the F308's design philosophy was its upgradability. Dallara issued annual add-on kits that allowed teams to evolve their cars without purchasing an entirely new chassis. These kits produced the designated F309 (for 2009), F310 (for 2010), and F311 (for 2011) upgrade specifications, incorporating modifications to aerodynamic elements such as additional air deflectors, as well as improved suspension components. This approach kept the chassis competitive across its lifespan while managing costs for teams.
The F308 and its upgrade-kit derivatives were used across four seasons of Formula Three competition. The car was fielded in the Formula Three Euroseries, which was the premier European Formula Three championship, as well as in other national Formula Three categories. As Formula Three operates as a spec or near-spec category — with all competitors using Dallara chassis — the F308 era produced racing in which driver ability, setup optimisation, and tyre management were the primary differentiators.
The F308 generation was replaced by the Dallara F312 for the 2012 season. The F312 was designed to comply with revised FIA Formula Three regulations that were significantly more restrictive than those the F308 had been built to, resulting in lower overall downforce levels. The F312 also introduced structural changes including a higher monocoque paired with a lower nose section, and relocated the front dampers and springs inside the tub — the first time Dallara had used this arrangement on an F3 car.