A unique celebration of the category, its cars and its history, which will be staged this weekend at Circuit Paul Ricard during the KENNOL Grand Prix de France Historique.
With a total of 35 cars split into two categories, 15 cars will battle for Category 1 (1971-1978) while the more modern cars will go for Category 2 (1979-1984) honours. As demonstrated in the previous running of the Cup, it will not be so much about the model or year but about the driving skills. With seven different nationalities, an equal number of different chassis, and two female drivers, variety will be a key aspect of the 2023 Cup.
Defending champion Davide Leone will be the one to keep an eye on after posting some impressive times during winter testing. However his father Valerio, previous overall winner, could upset the family order. Local hero Frederic Rouvier, former French F3 Classic champion and runner-up in the Cup, will certainly try to end his streak of bad luck this year on home soil.
A few others are worth watching, including Tristan Gommendy, the last contemporary French Formula 3 Champion and Macao Grand Prix winner back in 2002, who will step back in time and drive an Argo JM10 from 1982 in Category 2. And Frederic Lajoux is returning aboard his March 793 with mighty Volkswagen-Spiess power, which last year proved to be unlucky as he was sidelined due to another driver taking him out.
Women will be well represented this year with Angela Grasso returning at the wheel of her Dallara 382, alongside Formula 3 newcomer Caroline Abbou-Rossi di Montelera who will enter the category with a rare Alba AR1. Angela has been competing since the inaugural FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup in 2018, and Caroline will now be joining her, which is a cause for celebration of the diversity of the sport and of the cars as well, with both the Dallara and Alba being very different to the Ralt or March establishment.
The action for the 2023 FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup will begin on Friday, 7 April, with free practice lasting 20 minutes starting at 1.50 p.m., followed by 20 minutes of qualifying at 6.05 p.m. Race 1 is on Saturday between 4.10 p.m. and 4.40 p.m., and Race 2 will start at 1.50 p.m. on Sunday. The aggregate results from both races will decide the class winners.
