Katerina Swanson
Formula 3 racing cars have a top speed of around 300 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds. These cars use ordinary unleaded racing gasoline as fuel, which is similar to commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline. Since 2023, Aramco has been the official fuel and lubricant partner and supplier of all FIA Formula 3 Championship entrants. The championship features a Dallara carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, powered by a Mecachrome naturally-aspirated direct-injected V6 engine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine | 500cc |
| Engine Block | Production model block (stock block) |
| Engine Suppliers | Mugen-prepared Honda, Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, Renault, HWA-tuned Mercedes, Mugen, TOM'S–Toyota, Opel, and Fiat |
| Fuel | Elf LMS 102 RON unleaded (2019–2022), Aramco Advanced 55% sustainable fuels (2023–present) |
| Fuel Type | Ordinary unleaded racing gasoline |
| Fuel Similarity | Commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline |
| Top Speed | 300 km/h |
| Acceleration | 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds |
| Chassis | Dallara carbon-fiber monocoque chassis |
| Engine | Mecachrome naturally-aspirated direct-injected V6 engine |
| Tyres | Pirelli dry slick and rain-treaded tyres |
| Gearbox | 6-speed sequential gearbox configuration with electro-hydraulic control via paddle-shifters |
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What You'll Learn
Formula 3 fuel suppliers
Formula 3 race cars use controlled fuel from a single supplier, which is of a comparative standard to pump/street gasoline (petrol). Honda engines (prepared by Mugen) have been popular, as have engines produced by Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, or Renault. Currently, the HWA-tuned Mercedes and Volkswagen engines dominate the British and European series, with Mugen, TOM'S–Toyota, Opel, and Fiat being used by some teams.
In Formula 1, each team has designated fuel suppliers that provide a specific blend tailored to their engine characteristics. The FIA (International Automobile Federation) regulates the specifications and composition of F1 fuel.
Some of the leading engine manufacturers in Formula One are:
- Mercedes-Benz
- Ferrari
- Renault
- Honda
Some of the fuel suppliers for F1 teams are:
- Petronas (for Mercedes)
- Shell (for Ferrari)
- ExxonMobil (for Red Bull and AlphaTauri)
- BP subsidiary Castrol (for Alpine)
Some engine suppliers for F1 teams include:
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) (for Ferrari)
- Ferrari (for Haas)
- Renault (for Red Bull)
In the past, Fondmetal, a British Formula One engine supplier, competed in 17 races between the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Gordini, a French company, was also a former engine supplier for the F1 race circuit, participating in 40 races between 1950 and 1956.
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Engine power
Formula 3 race cars have a top speed of around 300 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. These straight-line acceleration figures are similar to high-end road-going sports cars. However, their cornering and braking capabilities far exceed those of road cars, with a peak lateral acceleration of 2.6 g and peak deceleration of 1.9 g.
All Formula 3 cars currently use ordinary unleaded racing gasoline as fuel, which has been the standard in third-tier single-seater formula racing since the introduction of the GP3 Series in 2010. This fuel is similar to commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline.
Since 2019, Elf has been the exclusive provider of LMS 102 RON unleaded fuel and Elf HTX 840 0W-40 lubricants for all FIA Formula 3 Championship cars. In 2023, Aramco became the official fuel and lubricant partner and supplier of all FIA Formula 3 Championship entrants, providing Aramco Advanced 55% sustainable fuels.
Formula 3 engines must be built from a production model block (stock block) and are often sealed by race or series organizers to prevent private tuning. Honda engines (prepared by Mugen) have been popular, as have engines produced by Volkswagen, Alfa Romeo, and Renault. Currently, the HWA-tuned Mercedes and Volkswagen engines dominate the British and European series, with some teams using Mugen, TOM'S-Toyota, Opel, and Fiat engines.
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Speed and acceleration
Speed:
Formula 3 cars have a top speed of around 300 km/h, which is significantly faster than most categories based on road cars. This speed is achieved through a combination of engine power and aerodynamic design. The current Formula 3 cars feature a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated Mecachrome 6-cylinder engine, which provides substantial power.
To put the speed into context, the fastest lap during the 2023 Melbourne Formula 3 round was approximately 1:34.405, showcasing the rapid pace of these vehicles. While Formula 3 cars are slower than their Formula 1 counterparts, their top speed is still remarkable and allows drivers to push their limits.
Acceleration:
Formula 3 cars exhibit impressive acceleration, capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 3 seconds. This acceleration performance is comparable to high-end road-going sports cars. The rapid acceleration is due to the engine's power and the lightweight design of the vehicles.
The lateral acceleration of Formula 3 cars is also noteworthy, reaching around 2.6G. This means that drivers experience significant g-forces during acceleration and cornering. The combination of straight-line acceleration and lateral acceleration gives Formula 3 cars their agility and responsiveness on the track.
In comparison to Formula 1 cars, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 1.8 seconds, Formula 3 cars are slightly slower. However, Formula 3's acceleration capabilities are still exceptional, providing drivers with the thrill and challenge of mastering speed control.
The fuel used in Formula 3 cars, which is currently Aramco's advanced fuel, plays a crucial role in achieving these acceleration figures. The fuel is designed to meet the FIA's sustainable fuel standards while also providing the necessary power and performance for racing.
In summary, Formula 3 cars showcase impressive speed and acceleration capabilities. With a top speed of 300 km/h and rapid acceleration, these vehicles serve as an essential platform for up-and-coming racing talents to hone their skills before advancing to higher tiers of motorsport. The combination of engine power, aerodynamic design, and sustainable fuel contributes to the speed and acceleration that are hallmarks of Formula 3 racing.
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Cornering and braking
The fuel system in Formula 3 cars plays a crucial role in cornering and braking. The system is designed to recover fuel from the tank and regulate pressure to ensure the correct amount of fuel is delivered to the injectors. The fuel injector fires once every 6.6ms at full throttle, delivering approximately 0.049cc of fuel with each injection. The fuel used by the engine at full throttle is between 3.5L/min and 4L/min, depending on ambient conditions.
The layout of the fuel system has remained largely unchanged over the years, except for adjustments to the fuel cell size due to the refuelling ban implemented in 2010. Prior to the ban, the fuel cell only needed to hold enough fuel to last between pit stops, but now it must accommodate the entire race distance. This larger cell presents challenges in recovering the last bit of fuel, especially at low levels, as the fuel tends to slosh around the tank during cornering, acceleration, and braking.
The fuel cell, typically located within the monocoque behind the driver, is constructed from military-grade ballistics material to prevent leaks in the event of an accident. This design consideration is crucial for safety, as a broken hose could lead to fuel leakage and increase the risk of fire.
In terms of engine configuration, Formula 3 cars are powered by a naturally aspirated 3.4L V6 engine, specifically the Mecachrome engine used in the previous GP3 Series. This engine is capable of producing approximately 380 hp, contributing to the impressive cornering and braking capabilities of these vehicles.
Additionally, the tyres and brakes play a significant role in cornering and braking performance. Pirelli supplies dry slick and rain-treaded tyres for Formula 3 Championship cars, with compounds ranging from soft to hard. Brembo provides exclusive monobloc brake calipers and disc bells, while Carbone Industrie supplies carbon brake discs and pads, ensuring effective braking capabilities.
In summary, the cornering and braking capabilities of Formula 3 race cars are exceptional due to a combination of factors, including the fuel system, engine configuration, tyres, and braking components. The interplay between these elements allows Formula 3 cars to achieve high lateral and deceleration forces, setting them apart from road cars and showcasing the advanced technology employed in motorsports engineering.
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Fuel and lubricant partners
Formula 3 race cars use ordinary unleaded racing gasoline as fuel, which is similar to commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline. The current fuel and lubricant partner and supplier of all FIA Formula 3 Championship entrants is Aramco, which replaced Elf in 2023.
Elf was the exclusive provider of LMS 102 RON unleaded fuel and Elf HTX 840 0W-40 lubricants for all FIA Formula 3 Championship cars from 2019 to 2022. The LMS 102 RON unleaded fuel is still in use today.
The FIA Formula 3 Championship cars feature a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, with Pirelli dry slick and rain-treaded tyres. The cars are powered by a Mecachrome naturally-aspirated direct-injected V6 engine, which debuted in 2019 with the Dallara F3 2019 chassis. The engine has a capacity of 3.4L and can produce approximately 380 hp.
The cars have a top speed of around 300 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. The straight-line acceleration is similar to high-end road-going sports cars, but their cornering and braking capabilities are far superior. The fastest lap for the 2023 Melbourne Formula 3 round was 1:34.405, which was roughly 14 seconds slower per lap than the fastest lap in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix.
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Frequently asked questions
Formula 3 cars use ordinary unleaded racing gasoline as fuel, which is similar to commercial vehicle unleaded street gasoline.
The engine capacity of a Formula 3 car is 3.4L.
Formula 3 cars have a top speed of around 300 km/h.
A Formula 3 car has about 380 horsepower.
The fastest lap for a Formula 3 race was recorded at the 2023 Melbourne Formula 3 round, with a time of 1:34.405.
