French Formula 3 1980

BP France leased the Martini MK27 with which Alain Prost had thoroughly dominated the 1979 season, and entered it for Alain Ferté in the French championship in 1980. Ferté had no problem winning the championship, with four wins, a second and a third from the six domestic races. Two European championship rounds also counted towards the French title, and these were won by Thierry Boutsen and Michele Alboreto in Martini MK31 and March 803 respectively. The other two races were won by Philippe Alliot and Philippe Streiff in MK31s, but both these drivers' primary focus was the European championship.

Ferté's closest challenge for the French title came from Equipe Serge Saulnier, which ran two Martini MK31s for Pascal Fabre and Daniel Hintzy. Patrick Teillet accumulated enough points for third place in the championship in his ex-Richard Dallest Martini MK27. Jean-Louis Schlesser split his time between F3, sports cars and touring cars, but showed glimpses of his ability in an March 803-Alfa Romeo.

The races

07 Apr 1980 > Nogaro

27 Apr 1980 > Trophée Jean Bernigaud at Magny Cours

11 May 1980 > Dijon-Prenois

01 Jun 1980 > Grand Prix de La Châtre

22 Jun 1980 > Rouen-les-Essarts

29 Jun 1980 > Paul Ricard

14 Sep 1980 > Nogaro

12 Oct 1980 > Le Mans-Bugatti

1980 Championnat de France de Formule 3 table

Points table from Autosport 20 Nov 1980 p39. The points system used was 15-12-10-8-6, down to 1 point for tenth place, and points were only awarded to French nationals.