The 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship concluded back in September. Explore the highs and lows of the season from Leonardo Fornaroli’s historic title win to the final lap drama at Monza. Discover the season’s standout moments, team dynamics, and regulation changes that shaped the path for future racing stars.
The 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship delivered an exhilarating season filled with intense competition, emerging talents, and memorable moments. As the feeder series to Formula 2 and ultimately Formula 1, Formula 3 remains a crucial platform for young drivers aspiring to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Championship Overview
The 2024 season saw a diverse grid of drivers from various backgrounds, all vying for the championship title. The season unfolded over a series of 10 rounds held at iconic circuits worldwide, including the likes of Silverstone, Monza, and Spa-Francorchamps. All teams and drivers competing in the championship ran the same car, the Dallara F3 2019 with a V6 engine. This year’s season was the final year using this chassis, which debuted in the inaugural 2019 season.
Trident Motorsport, one of the standout teams this season, saw remarkable success through driver Leonardo Fornaroli. Fornaroli’s ability to keep cool under pressure paid off as he clinched the Drivers’ Championship in a nail-biting final round. He captured the title with a daring last-corner pass at Monza. He became the first winless champion in F3 history without winning a single race throughout the season.
Prema Racing entered the 2024 season as the defending Teams’ Champions, having clinched their title in a dramatic final race at Monza in 2023. They continued their dominance by securing the Teams’ Championship title once again in 2024.
Trident’s Season and Key Performances
Trident delivered one of their strongest seasons in F3 history. With Leonardo Fornaroli leading the charge, the team not only took the Drivers’ Championship but also displayed a depth of talent across its lineup. Fornaroli’s defining moment came in the final lap at Monza. His calculated approach secured him the title in a breathtakingly close finish.
In addition to Fornaroli, teammate Sami Meguetounif proved a formidable force in his debut season. The Frenchman secured two Feature race wins and several podium finishes. Meguetounif’s ability to quickly find his pace as a rookie highlighted his potential in the sport. His performances also contributed significantly to Trident’s successful season. Santiago Ramos, another key driver for Trident, also left his mark, with a notable podium finish at Monza. Ramos ensured all Trident racers stepped onto the podium this season.
Jenzer Motorsport’s Resilient Season
2024 marked the final season for Jenzer Motorsport in the championship. The Swiss team has been ever-present and produced some core memories, this season was no different. The 1993 season-founded team faced a season of ups and downs.
Team Principal Andreas acknowledged that the year was more challenging than he had initially anticipated. However, he expressed pride in the team’s relentless effort and dedication, particularly highlighting the impressive performances of their three rookies: Max Esterson, Matías Zagazeta, and Charlie Wurz.
“I think we always showed good speed, we qualified in the top 15 many times and I think for three rookies, this is a solid level that you could expect and that´s quite a good achievement.” […] When I see how many times we qualified in front of some of the title contenders or those in the top three or top five finishers – I have to say we maybe didn’t produce the results, but the car was as fast as the others. For me, it was a bit of a special season. In all of the Qualifying [sessions], I think a lot of drivers tripped over their own feet many times.”
Team changes
PHM Racing began operating independently of Charouz Racing System after their collaboration during the 2023 season. Ahead of the 2024 season, PHM announced the AIX Investment Group as their new title sponsor, leading to a rebranding as PHM AIX Racing.
In 2023, Rodin Cars became the majority shareholder of Carlin, rebranding it as Rodin Carlin. Following this change, the Carlin family left the team, with Rodin taking full ownership and renaming it Rodin Motorsport.
The AIX Investment Group completed its acquisition of PHM Racing before the third round of the season, resulting in another rebranding to AIX Racing.
Driver changes
The 2024 season saw significant driver changes across several teams.
With Zak O’Sullivan and Paul Aron graduating to Formula 2, Prema Racing signed with Gabriele Minì and Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad, who previously raced in the team´s Italian F4 outfit.
Trident brought in two new drivers for the 2024 season following the departure of their reigning champion, Gabriel Bortoleto, who moved up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing, and Oliver Goethe, who joined Campos Racing. The team signed Sami Meguetounif, who finished ninth in the 2023 FRECA standings with MP Motorsport, and Santiago Ramos, who secured eleventh place with RPM in the same series.
MP Motorsport advanced Franco Colapinto to their Formula 2 team after he competed in the 2023 season finale. However, mid-season, Colapinto received a promotion to Formula 1, stepping in at Williams Racing after Logan Sargeant was dropped from the team. To fill his spot in Formula 3, MP Motorsport brought in Red Bull junior Tim Tramnitz, who graduated from FRECA following a strong third-place finish in the 2023 season with R-ace GP.
The 2024 Formula 3 season saw numerous team changes, with Campos Racing, Hitech Pulse-Eight, Jenzer Motorsport, Van Amersfoort Racing, ART Grand Prix, PHM AIX Racing, and Rodin Motorsport all bringing in new drivers and making significant lineup adjustments.
Regulation changes
The 2024 FIA Formula 3 season brought several significant changes aimed at enhancing sustainability and improving the racing experience.
In 2023, FIA Formula 3 used 55% sustainable fuel supplied by Aramco, with plans to increase sustainability and achieve 100% sustainable fuel by 2027. Due to durability concerns with Pirelli’s medium tyres in 2023, a new tyre specification was introduced for 2024. Additionally, a new rule was implemented to prevent drivers from benefiting from causing red flags during qualifying. Drivers deemed solely responsible for a red flag would have their fastest lap time deleted and be barred from further participation in that session.
Season Review
The season opener set a competitive tone, with drivers tackling the challenging Bahrain circuit. Multiple lead changes and impressive strategies kept fans engaged. While a series of overtakes and tactical pit stops highlighted the drivers’ readiness to compete for the title.
Midway through the season, Silverstone delivered one of the most intense races. Unpredictable weather created challenging conditions that tested drivers’ handling skills and adaptability, and the result was an action-packed race filled with dramatic overtakes. This race showcased the evolving maturity of top contenders like Fornaroli and Meguetounif.
Final Showdown at Monza: The championship decider at Monza back in September provided a fittingly dramatic finale. Known for its high speeds and challenging layout, Monza saw drivers pushing their limits in an all-or-nothing effort to secure championship points. Fornaroli’s decisive pass in the final corner of the final lap was an unforgettable moment, sealing his championship win and exemplifying the determination and daring spirit of F3. With Gabriele Minì’s disqualification, Fornaroli ended up winning the championship with 153 points by two points – becoming the first FIA Formula 3 champion to not score a race win all season.
Takeaways from the 2024 Season
Consistency Over Speed: As demonstrated by Fornaroli’s approach, consistent point finishes were often more valuable than single race wins. The season rewarded those who balanced speed with reliability, as drivers who minimized mistakes and focused on maintaining pace proved successful.
Rising Talent and Diverse Backgrounds: The 2024 grid featured drivers from varied motorsport backgrounds, including regional F4 champions, karting prodigies, and even talents transitioning from the virtual to the real racing world. This diversity brought unique driving styles and approaches, enriching the competition and expanding F3’s appeal.
The Growing Role of Team Strategy and Data Analytics: In junior racing, strategic insights and data analysis have become increasingly vital. Teams, including Trident and Jenzer, relied heavily on telemetry to refine setups, manage tyre wear, and fine-tune driver strategies. This trend reflects the growing professionalism and technical rigour in F3 as teams harness data-driven insights to gain competitive advantages.
The 2024 F3 season offered a thrilling spectacle of competitive racing, emerging talent, and unforgettable moments. As the curtain closes on 2024, anticipation for the 2025 season is already building.
Several breakout stars from this year, such as Fornaroli and Meguetounif, are expected to either continue their F3 journey or move up to Formula 2, promising another year of exciting races and fierce rivalries. Teams will continue refining their strategies and training programs, aiming to hone the skills of tomorrow’s Formula 1 champions.
