After twenty-eight years, the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 category could disappear at the end of 2018 after Renault’s admission that they are interested in the FIA’s new regional Formula 3 concept.
The FIA has been attempting to simplify the route through to Formula 1 in recent years, with the GP2 Series being changed to FIA Formula 2 in 2017, while the GP3 Series name will disappear at the end of this season in favour of the FIA Formula 3 International championship.
The Eurocup series is not currently aligned with the FIA but are willing to bring themselves into line with them by ditching the current 2.0-litre category that has existed since 1991 in favour of running a regional Formula 3 championship in Europe.
“The goal is to carry on Formula Renault after 47 years and take the opportunity of this new category – Regional F3 as the FIA call it – to carry on,” said Renault Sport Racing commercial director Benoit Nogier to Motorsport.com.
“We already invest and make a lot of effort in the learning system for young drivers, and we have many in the Renault Sport Academy now.
“We want to be a part of Regional F3 – for us the pyramid the FIA has created is a perfect system for where Renault wants to be. We are an official candidate with the FIA and we are discussing with them.”
Nogier says Renault have been in talks with two chassis makers about organising a supply for the series, with Tatuus and Mygale being linked, while the car will be powered by a 1.8-litre turbo unit from the Megane RS, which would only need small changes made to it in order to take it racing.
“At the moment we have visited two suppliers,” said Nogier, “and we will move on this if we get the right to promote the championship.
“We have been very surprised by the quality of the cars – it’s exactly what we think should be done.”
The move to Formula 3 will not mean an end to the current Eurocup car, which would likely race on as part of the Northern European Cup category, although not officially backed by Renault, it would still have technical support from the French manufacturer.