The FIA has launched a new prize fund for rookie drivers in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, starting from this season.
The top three rookies in the drivers’ standings will receive prizes of €200,000, €100,000 and €50,000 to go towards securing funding for a sophomore campaign.
The FIA also plans to extend prize money to further drivers and teams from the 2017 season as the series continues to grow.
The FIA European F3 Championship has established itself as the premier level of F3 racing in recent years, aiding the careers of a number of top line drivers including Max Verstappen, Pascal Wehrlein, Carlos Sainz Jr., Raffaele Marciello and Esteban Ocon.
“The FIA considers the FIA F3 European Championship as the most suitable platform for drivers learning their way at this particular stage of the single-seater ladder,” FIA single-seater commission president Stefano Domenicali said.
“To prepare drivers in the most effective way for the next step on the ladder, we think it is normally best for a driver to remain in the series for at least two consecutive seasons.
“The newly introduced prize money is a reward for good results during a rookie season, but should at the same time encourage the drivers to stay for another year and gain further experience.
“It will also establish some financial assistance – something that we intend to expand to the team and driver championships next year.”