The Formula V8 3.5 Series will see itself aligned with the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2017, with the championship races in Japan, Bahrain and Mexico as a result.
The series, which is run by Jamie Alguersuari Snr since Renault’s decision to end it’s backing of the championship at the end of 2015, will also see support races be run at Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nurburgring.
Densu Aegis Network, who acquired Alguersuari’s RPM company last year will cover the costs of the transportation to the flyaway races at Fuji, Bahrain and Mexico City.
“I am pleased to announce that this agreement with the FIA World Endurance Championship is the most exciting project of my professional career,” said Alguersuari.
“Cost control has always been one of my biggest concerns in order to help the drivers, their families and sponsors. I have been always concerned with the development of the drivers’ career as well.
“The new series, linked to the WEC, is a historic challenge because a single-seater championship of this level has never before offered such a wide international calendar at an affordable budget.
“Racing in the same major events where official manufacturer teams from renowned automotive brands such as Toyota, Audi, Porsche as well as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Ford and Corvette are competing in the world’s leading endurance championship, will allow our talented drivers to show off their skills in front of a prestigious and knowledgeable audience.
“Therefore, making an effort to reach the agreement between the FIA WEC and RPM was definitely worth it.”
Gerard Neveu, the CEO of the WEC, has welcomed the news that Formula V8 3.5 will join his championship from next season, and has revealed that the 2017 series champion will be offered a test in WEC during the rookie test at the end of the season.
“It is very good news that the Formula V8 3.5 series will join the WEC race meetings from 2017,” said Neveu. “This single-seater championship has demonstrated for many years how very appealing and exciting it can be, while at the same time providing many great champions.
“It makes sense to offer to the new generation of drivers access to a well-established championship such as the WEC.
“The fact that the champions will have an opportunity to take part in the WEC’s official rookie test at the end of the season will be additional motivation and a target for everyone on the grid.
“This combination of Formula V8 3.5 and sports prototype and GT cars, in the same place at the same time, will provide great racing over the same weekend, a real festival of motorsport.”
Formula V8 3.5 is also set to remain part of the International GT Open/EuroFormula Open programme for some or all of its remaining races, while the current teams will have priority on the entry list, with the championship likely to receive additional attention from both drivers and teams alike to get onto the grid next season.
