German Formula Three Championship
The German Formula Three Championship was the national Formula Three championship of Germany, and the former West Germany, from 1950 to 2002, then as Formel 3 until 2014. In 2003, the series had merged with the French Formula Three Championship to form the Formula 3 Euro Series. The lower-level series, the ATS Formel 3 Cup, subsequently operated in Germany, but it folded after the end of the 2014 season. Since the late 1980s, the list of German F3 champions has included many notable drivers, including Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher and nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.
A BMW-engined 500cc Formula Three car, photographed in 1978.
A March-Toyota driven by Rudolf Dötsch in a German F3 event, 1976.
Formel 3 Cup cars in parc fermé at the Nürburgring, 2006.
Markus Winkelhock driving a Dallara-Mercedes at the Sachsenring
Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers.
Mika Mäki drives a Dallara F308 Formula Three Car in a Formula 3 Euro Series race at Hockenheimring in 2009
Rudolf Dötsch in a March–Toyota at the Nürburgring 1976
A typical early car, the Effyh 500 (1947–1952) was built in Malmö, Sweden and was one of the more successful cars. It had a lightweight tube chassis, aluminium bodywork and was powered by a 500cc 1-cylinder JAP engine.
1949: Monopoletta-BMW