Formula 2 and Formula 3, support series for Formula 1, will no longer feature on the same weekends next season as part of a cost-cutting move after a year battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said on Friday.
The two series will expand to three races per weekend, rather than two at present, but with a presence at fewer events.
F2 will feature at eight of the
grand prix weekends, instead of a current 12, and F3 seven. F1 has yet to publish a 2021 calendar but could stretch to a record 23 rounds.
F2 said no new car would be introduced for the next three-year cycle from 2021 and the costs of freight and engine leasing will be significantly lower.
Mick Schumacher, son of Ferrari great and seven-times F1 champion Michael, is leading this year’s F2 championship and is expected to move up to F1 with the U.S.-owned Haas team.
Australian Oscar Piastri has already won the F3 title.