The Formula Renault Eurocup and Formula Regional European Championship will merge into one series in 2021, with the FIA continuing to focus on streamlining the route from karting through junior formulae through to Formula 1.
The championship will be named Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine – certified by FIA and will provide a route between Formula 4 and the FIA Formula 3 Championship. It will see a maximum of thirty-six cars with three-car teams, although a fourth car is possible if it is filled by a female racer.
The series will have ten rounds with two races per weekend, with three of the rounds taking place in Italy. The remaining seven rounds of the ACI promoted championship will be staged in other venues across Europe – the full calendar will be released at a later date.
The car will be powered by a 1.8-litre Renault engine with a Tatuus chassis and with Pirelli tyres. Any new cars will be built in the Alpine factory in Dieppe.
“This merger and the creation of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and Certified by FIA adds even greater focus to the FIA’s pathway to the top levels of motor racing,” said Stefano Domenicali, the President of the FIA Single Seater Commission.
“A consolidation of Formula Regional in Europe means that graduates from Formula 4 can learn and grow in a strongly supported, robust and, perhaps most importantly, a competitive environment. Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine – certified by FIA gives them a clear next step on the ladder towards their dream of one day racing in Formula 1.”
FIA President Jean Todt added: “The establishment of a new Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, certified by FIA, is another significant step in refining the pathway to the pinnacle of motor sport, Formula 1.
“It joins the Formula Regional Championships in the Americas, Asia and Japan to form a global platform for young racing talent to progress their motor sport career. I would like to thank Renault, Alpine and ACI for making this merger possible and I look forward to seeing the champions of the future racing in what is sure to be a thrilling new championship.”
ACI, Renault Sport and Pirelli Motorsport React to the Merger
Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the FIA Vice-President and the ACI President, says the new championship ‘perfectly fits’ the plan the FIA has to streamline the route through single-seater racing, and he expects the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine – certified by FIA to grow and be a tremendous success.
“After having been in 2014 the first country to launch the Formula 4 championship, that with the Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth has become the point of reference for young drivers as the first step after karting towards F1, once again the Automobile Club d’Italia, through ACI Sport, has been key in the definition of a series that perfectly fits the path defined by FIA for the growth of the talents of international motor sport,” he said.
“The Formula Regional European Championship, the series that 2 years ago has been certified by FIA, represents an absolutely strategic and particularly recommended step for young drivers also as natural continuation of their experience in F4.
“Today, with the important come together of strengths and synergies between ACI, ACI Sport and Groupe Renault, Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine becomes by all means the international point of reference as step towards F1.
“My wish and belief is that all parts will put together the best professionality and manpower to make the championship grow and support at best all the great talents of today, so to be able to watch them compete tomorrow in the fantastic arena of F1.”
The Formula Renault Eurocup is in its fiftieth season in 2020, and Cyril Abiteboul, the Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing, welcomed the news of the merger between it and the Formula Regional European Championship.
“For more than 50 years, Renault’s action in favour of young drivers has been unparalleled, as well as the know-how of our teams in organising competitive and affordable single-seater championships for talent-spotting and development of future champions,” said Abiteboul.
“We are therefore particularly pleased with this agreement with the FIA and the ACI which means the creation of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. This agreement strengthens our activities and we are honoured to be able to contribute directly to an FIA championship that will continue to carry the values we are all strongly committed to, race format, sports equity, training and promotion of young European talent.
“It is also the first concrete marker of the return of the Alpine brand in the world of single-seaters.”
Mario Isola, the Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli Motorsport, was pleased that the FIA opted to choose Pirelli as the tyre supplier for the new championship.
“We’re really pleased to be part of this project as exclusive tyre supplier,” said Isola. “Formula Regional by Alpine – certified by FIA, fits in perfectly with our motor sport strategy, as we are already involved in Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4.
“Now, with Formula Regional by Alpine, we can extend our long-held philosophy of helping young drivers make their way up in the sport. This means that drivers can become familiar with our tyre range right from their first experiences in motor sport, all the way up to the most prominent global categories.”
