Despite putting back their planned return to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship to at least 2018, the Fortec Motorsports team expect to be come back competitive, according to senior engineer Mick Kouros.
After sitting out the 2016 season, Fortec had hoped to return in 2017, but after failing to secure deals with either Jehan Daruvala or Ferdinand Habsburg following tests with the team – both ultimately signed for Carlin Motorsport – it was decided to postpone their return for another season.
Kouros says that the way the FIA have acted recently to attempt to cut costs, including the banning of the use of windtunnels and aerodynamic work on the Dallara aero kit, will make it easier to be competitive once they finally do return to the grid.
“I don’t see why we can’t come back and do a good job, mainly because of the FIA regulations,” said Kouros to Autosport. “They enable any team to enter the championship and be competitive against all the other teams.
“The perception that other teams may or may not have had an advantage – which is debateable anyway – will change, and it will purely come down to having a good driver who develops a good understanding of their car, just as it used to be.
“Drivers will be looking at a level playing field, regardless of how much funding the other teams have had.”