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RACE AND QUALIFYING FORMAT CHANGE ADDS SPICE TO F3

The new format in detail

Qualifying: A single 30-minute official qualifying session

Race 1: 30-minute duration. Grid established by competitors' second-fastest times in qualifying. Full points awarded, ie 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1 to the top 10 in the International and National classes, with an additional point for the fastest race lap in each class

Race 2: 20-minute duration. Grid established by the finishing order of Race 1, with the best-placed cars in reverse order. The Race 1 victor will perform a podium draw to determine where on the grid he will start - anywhere between sixth and 10th. Points for this race will be awarded on a reduced scale: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 to the top 10 in the International and National classes, but there will be an additional two points awarded for the fastest race lap in each class

Race 3: 40-minute duration. Grid established by competitors' fastest times in qualifying. Full points awarded, as per Race 1

The format revision is welcomed by Jay Bridger, who is one of the most experienced of the drivers so far to have declared. Jay is entering his third season in British F3, at the wheel of a Volkswagen-powered Dallara prepared by the Litespeed F3 team.

"I'm delighted," said Jay, "because I think it will suit drivers who have a bit more experience of F3. The three-race format will make it more interesting for the drivers, and for everyone watching, and it's going to be important to be consistent and to have the car set up right, so that you use the tyres correctly. Drivers will need to use their brains a bit and stay out of trouble. I'm working on my fitness a lot more, because if you are not up to scratch fitness-wise it's going to have an effect."

The first outing for the new F3 format will come at Oulton Park at Easter, with qualifying and round one of Cooper Tires British F3 on Saturday 3 April and rounds two and three scheduled for Monday 5th