European Formula 3 1983

Formula 3 in Europe changed significantly in 1983 as the dominant teams of recent seasons, Euroracing and ORECA Martini, left the formula, and hoard of privateers took over. Also a rule was introduced limiting cars to ten tyres per meeting, which swept away the nonsense of qualifying tyres. The new order led to Ralt completely taking over the European series, as it done a year earlier in Britain. Martini remained dominant in the French series, where the factory ran a works team, while Dallara started to emerge as a major force in Italy.

Emanuele Pirro started the season on top, with two wins, but then John Neilsen and Tommy Byrne took over the in the early summer, only for Pierluigi Martini to take over the in the autumn and win four of the last five races to snatch the title. Martini had a good budget and an experienced team manager in Luciano Pavesi, but his success at this level was a surprise. He was clearly boosted by a very successful F2 debut at Misano in July, followed by a F1 test in the Brabham-BMW, after which he proved virtually unbeatable in F3.

The races

13 Mar 1983 > Gran Premio Campidoglio at Vallelunga

27 Mar 1983 > Goodyear-ADAC-300-km-Rennen at Nürburgring

17 Apr 1983 > GP F3 Zolder

01 May 1983 > Trophée Jean Bernigaud at Magny Cours

22 May 1983 > Preis des Aichfeldes at Österreichring

05 Jun 1983 > Grand Prix de La Châtre

12 Jun 1983 > Silverstone

26 Jun 1983 > Gran Premio della Lotteria at Monza

09 Jul 1983 > Trofeo Emiliani at Misano

31 Jul 1983 > Jubileumraces Circuit Zandvoort

07 Aug 1983 > Kvällspostens Newsrace at Knutstorp

04 Sep 1983 > Grand Prix de Nogaro

11 Sep 1983 > Trofeo Villa de Madrid at Jarama

25 Sep 1983 > Trofeo Autosprint at Imola

09 Oct 1983 > Donington Park

23 Oct 1983 > Trophée d'Arras at Croix-en-Ternois

1983 European Formula 3 Championship table

Previous: the 1982 season

This series ran over 15 rounds and used a 9-6-4-3-2-1 points system. Points tables from Autosport 10 Nov 1983 p26.