2021 Formula Regional European by Alpine

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

What's the suitable acronym for this? FREC? FRECBA?

At any rate, it has recently been announced that the Formula Renault Eurocup and the Formula Regional European Championship will merge in 2021, with the ACI continuing to run the series as per FREC, but with Alpine branded engines in the Tatuus regional F3 chassis. The superlicense points will apparently reflect those of the FREC (as opposed to the continuously shafted Eurocup series). Beyond that, not too many details have emerged.

One assumes that teams from both championships have a chance to apply. Teams can run up to 3 cars, with a possible 4th seat for a female driver. It seems as if it will run 10 rounds with the Eurocup's 2 race format. The calendar is likely to reflect the FREC, being mainly based out of Italy but travelling around Europe. It seems that other than from the official announcements, many teams have heard nothing else from the organisers of this merger.

Formula Scout have done a pretty solid job of covering it, so here are two articles with information on the merger:

https://formulascout.com/formula-reg...p-merger/70262

https://formulascout.com/what-we-rea...l-europe/70409

I do wonder about this merger, given the grid size of Formula Renault compared to the dire grids in FREC. Other than Prema and VAR will any FREC teams jump across? Will Prema retain their status as the team to be in, given the likes of ART in the Eurocup? It should be an interesting off season with the chance of a grid of over 20 cars. I wanted to start this thread to document the shift, get the news rolling in, and get people's thoughts on this. To me it seems as if this is basically Renault gaining some superlicense points and contracting out their championship to ACI but given the general lack of information I could be totally misreading this.

[peebee2]

I hope it’s good but it’s a bit concerning. Formula Renault Eurocup has been mega for many many years. I hope this isn’t Renault getting out of it by allowing a takeover by the FREC, which is frankly a bit of basket case in all ways, not just the name although that is utter rubbish in itself anyway.

[Rf1 Fan]

Originally Posted by peebee2

I hope it’s good but it’s a bit concerning. Formula Renault Eurocup has been mega for many many years. I hope this isn’t Renault getting out of it by allowing a takeover by the FREC, which is frankly a bit of basket case in all ways, not just the name although that is utter rubbish in itself anyway.

This is an italian takeover of Eurocup.

Renault will just provide engines and money (through BP/Castrol plus RSA scolarship).

At last it allows a simplification of the market with more competitive teams option available.

It may also provide f1 support slot on several f1 european week-ends (monaco gp, castellet, monza).

[NaBUru38]

Good news!

[tux]

I dunno man. I cant keep up with all these changes, every year things become more and more complex.

[Rf1 Fan]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Good news!

We will wait and see what ACI/WSK can make of these.

They have the keys now, they failed a first time with FREC.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by tux

I dunno man. I cant keep up with all these changes, every year things become more and more complex.

I actually agree here. With the FIA 'streamlining' the junior ladder we still had in 2019 FIA F3, Euroformula, FREC, Eurocup, and W Series. Now the smallest grid has merged with the smallest superlicense points and has included some lip service to the W Series mission, but it still seems to be a bit convoluted as the non-FIA series' keep changing up their regulations to have a USP against the FIA series' and keeping things confusing. I hope this move cleans things up somewhat but we'll see...

[Rf1 Fan]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

I actually agree here. With the FIA 'streamlining' the junior ladder we still had in 2019 FIA F3, Euroformula, FREC, Eurocup, and W Series. Now the smallest grid has merged with the smallest superlicense points and has included some lip service to the W Series mission, but it still seems to be a bit convoluted as the non-FIA series' keep changing up their regulations to have a USP against the FIA series' and keeping things confusing. I hope this move cleans things up somewhat but we'll see...

I think things are rather clear for FIA F3 this is the mandatory place now.

The problem have been below with 3 series (Eurocup,Euroformula Open and FREC) vying for the same piece of market.

W Series is a different market as nobody pay their own seat.

The market has been clarified with the merger of Eurocup and FREC.

I think now a lot of things will hang onto how things will be packaged with F1 appearance / TV exposure / Mileage / Ladder.

The fortunate thing now with FREC is that you have several options in order to be competitive.

Now a driver like Gabriele Mini can do F4, FREC,F3 and F2 with Prema.

I can see ART launching their own F4 team now.

[NaBUru38]

I wish we went back to the early 2000s with diverse junior formula championships across Europe. But it's 2020.

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Imola:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART)
2. ESP David Vidales (Prema)
3. EST Paul Aron (Prema)
4. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP)
5. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden)
6. FIN William Alatalo (Arden)

This weekend it's round 2 at Barcelona.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Grégoire Saucy has really upped his game, he now looks like the class of the field. Not bad considering the depth of quality, yet alone that the lad hadn't won a car race before this season. Both races won from pole at Barcelona-Catalunya.

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Barcelona:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART)
2. EST Paul Aron (Prema)
3. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden)
4. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART)
5. FIN William Alatalo (Arden)
6. ESP David Vidales (Prema)
7. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP)
8. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP)

[Juntos]

Prema boys are getting their ass kick

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Prema boys are getting their ass kick

The season is made up of many races!

[THIM]

Hello, it is my first post since year 2010 And my first log in since 2019.


To the topic: I just found out about this series from Monaco schedule. I watched all the races so far and found out there's quite a lot of action between the safety cars! Let's hope guys will get on with each other and the races will be less yellow, but I think this process already started in Barcelona and Monaco is a perfect place to drive reasonably Availability to watch full races on Facebook (and therefore skipping SCs ) definitely makes it a series to follow!

[NaBUru38]

Welcome back, Thim!

[tux]

I cant add much to this thread but i just wanted to say that after 25 years of watching motorsport it takes alot to impress me, plus im very miserable.

However i wanted to add that i thought Group B qualifying around Monaco yesterday morning was one of the most exciting sessions id ever seen, genuinely.

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Paul Ricard:


1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART)
2. BAR Zane Maloney (R-ace GP)
3. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP)
4. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP)
5. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden)
6. EST Paul Aron (Prema)
7. FIN William Alatalo (Arden)
8. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART)
9. ESP David Vidales (Prema)
10. FIN Patrik Pasma (KIC)

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Zandvoort:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART), 160 pts
2. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP), 96
3. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP), 93
4. BAR Zane Maloney (R-ace GP), 91
5. EST Paul Aron (Prema), 90
6. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART), 89
7. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden), 79
8. FIN William Alatalo (Arden), 70
9. ESP David Vidales (Prema), 52
10. FIN Patrik Pasma (KIC), 46

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Spa-Francorchamps:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART), 189 pts
2. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP), 129
3. BAR Zane Maloney (R-ace GP), 124
4. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART), 109
5. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP), 101
6. EST Paul Aron (Prema), 94
7. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden), 80
8. FIN William Alatalo (Arden), 73
9. FIN Patrik Pasma (KIC), 55
10. ESP David Vidales (Prema), 52


Next round is the Red Bull Ring on September 11-12.

[NaBUru38]

Standings after Spa-Francorchamps:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART), 224 pts
2. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP), 147
3. BAR Zane Maloney (R-ace GP), 141
4. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP), 109
5. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART), 109
6. EST Paul Aron (Prema), 109
7. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden), 96
8. FIN William Alatalo (Arden), 77
9. ARG Franco Colapinto (MP), 73
10. ESP David Vidales (Prema), 58

Next round is next weekend at Valencia.

[NaBUru38]

Final standings after Monza:

1. SUI Grégoire Saucy (ART), 277 pts
2. FRA Hadrien David (R-ace GP), 209
3. EST Paul Aron (Prema), 197
4. BAR Zane Maloney (R-ace GP), 170
5. FRA Isack Hadjar (R-ace GP), 166
6. ARG Franco Colapinto (MP), 140
7. ITA Gabriele Mini (ART), 122
8. RUS Michael Belov (JD / G4), 116
9. GBR Alex Quinn (Arden), 104
10. ESP David Vidales (Prema), 102

[NaBUru38]

Grégoire Saucy was promoted by ART into FIA Formula 3.