On 13 March 2017 the FIA announced that the GP3 Series would merge with the FIA and DMSB-sanctioned Formula 3 European Championship, targeting a debut in 2019. The merger committee announced on 1 September 2017 that the World Motor Sport Council would oversee the development of the new series' name, logo, and identity. The new identity was revealed on 10 March 2018 at FIA headquarters in Paris. GP3 Series CEO Bruno Michel confirmed the FIA's sanctioning role; FIA President Jean Todt formally announced the FIA Formula 3 Championship title and branding in October 2018.
FIA F3 weekends follow a compact structure timed around the Formula One schedule. Friday holds a 45-minute free practice session followed by a 30-minute qualifying session. Saturday features the Sprint Race, run over 40 minutes plus one lap, with its grid determined by reversing the top twelve qualifiers from Friday's session. Sunday's Feature Race, held ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix, runs for 45 minutes plus one lap. Pole position earns two bonus points, and one point is awarded for the fastest lap in each race provided the driver finishes in the top ten. The maximum achievable score in a single round is 39 points. Standings ties are broken by a countback of victories, then second-place finishes, and so on down the order.
All competitors use a Dallara carbon-fibre monocoque chassis powered by a Mecachrome 3.4-litre V6 naturally aspirated direct-injection engine producing 380 hp, scaled down from 400 hp in earlier applications of the unit. Pirelli supplies three dry slick compounds under the P Zero brand and one wet compound under the Cinturato name, in sizes 250/575-R13 front and 290/590-R13 rear. The Hewland six-speed sequential gearbox uses electro-hydraulic actuation via paddle shifters with a reverse button on the steering wheel. AP Racing supplies multi-plate clutches. O.Z. Racing is the exclusive wheel rim supplier. All cars carry a Magneti Marelli electronic control unit and power supply management unit. From 2019, the halo cockpit protection device has been mandatory. Fuel and lubricant supply passed from Elf, which used LMS 102 RON unleaded, to Aramco in 2023. A second-generation chassis was introduced for the 2025 season.
Each car incorporates front and rear roll hoops, anti-intrusion survival cell protection panels, wheel retainer cables, and six-point Sabelt harnesses. Brembo provides monobloc brake calipers and disc bells; Carbone Industrie supplies carbon brake discs and pads. Suspension runs upper and lower steel wishbones with pushrod actuation, Koni twin dampers, and torsion bars at the front with spring suspension at the rear. The Drag Reduction System has been available since the GP3 era and is automatically deactivated in wet conditions.
Formula 3 cars reach top speeds of around 300 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately three seconds. Peak lateral acceleration reaches 2.6 g and peak deceleration 1.9 g. Competing in the championship costs approximately US$1.2 million per season, roughly half the cost of a Formula 2 campaign, with most expenses typically covered by the driver through personal sponsorship or family resources. Cost-control measures introduced for the 2021 season included a reduced calendar.
The inaugural 2019 season ran sixteen races across eight rounds, with Robert Shwartzman of Prema Racing winning the Drivers' Championship and Prema securing the Teams' title, extending their streak from the predecessor Formula 3 European Championship. Oscar Piastri won the 2020 championship for Prema as a series debutant. Dennis Hauger took the 2021 title for Prema; Trident then broke Prema's run by winning the 2021 Teams' Championship. Victor Martins of ART Grand Prix won the 2022 Drivers' title, while Prema reclaimed the Teams' award. Gabriel Bortoleto won the 2023 Drivers' Championship for Trident, becoming the first South American driver to win the title. Leonardo Fornaroli won the 2024 title for Trident despite not taking a single race victory across the season. In 2025, Rafael Camara won the Drivers' Championship for Trident, taking four wins and five poles, while Campos Racing won their first Teams' Championship at the final round.
FIA F3 occupies the step immediately below FIA Formula 2 on the FIA Global Pathway, channelling drivers upward from national and regional junior formulae. Its exclusive operation as a Formula One support series provides competitors with direct exposure to the highest-level motorsport environment from their first season. Multiple champions have progressed directly to Formula One: Oscar Piastri joined McLaren for 2023, Gabriel Bortoleto signed with Sauber for 2025, and other graduates have moved to F1 via intermediate seasons in Formula 2.
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