The BRDC British F3 Championship will introduce an upgraded bodywork and safety improvements to car racing in the 2020 season.
While the main aspect of the car stays the same, MotorSport Vision (MSV) has worked with chassis supplier Tatuus to provide a number of updates. The main changes include an Indycar-style fin in front of the driver, changes to the front and rear wings, and a new engine cover.
The front wing endplates will be an updated design, which combined with changes to the wing will hopefully allow for greater set-up variation at an increased downforce level.
In the driver/cockpit area, a fin will be placed in front of the driver. The device has been load tested and will act as a secondary roll structure as well as deflecting debris away from the cockpit area in a similar way to the FIA Halo, with each chassis to be modified by MSV in association with Tatuus to accommodate the device.
Bargeboards will also be added to the cars in front of the side pods, while behind the driver, a new engine cover will be fitted. It will be a slimmed down cover to reduce drag and improve airflow to the rear wing and will incorporate another contemporary fin along the spine. These changes are designed to improve the efficiency of the rear wing, which will also see changes.
The new rear wing will include new profiles for both the carbon fibre main plane and flap with in-mode angled back endplates, the new design allowing for an overall higher rear downforce setup.
Each car will also receive an electrical upgrade in the off season in order to ensure reliability is maintained.
These upgrades are due to come in by January 2020, allowing teams to conduct a full pre-season testing programme.
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MSV, commented: “The existing Tatuus chassis has proven itself as a very dependable car with superb performance and our teams are extremely happy to continue using it.
“Working in coordination with the teams, we have agreed on this upgrade package that ensures the car will remain at the forefront of European junior single seater racing, while potentially unlocking a little more performance. Given the current health and level of competitiveness of the BRDC British F3 Championship, we expect the updates to make the car and series even more appealing for young drivers on the path F1.”
