View source for Formula racing

{{Short description|Open-wheeled single-seater motorsport}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{infobox sport
| name       = Formula racing
| image      = First_lap_2014_Bahrain_Grand_Prix_(3).jpg
| imagesize  = 325px
| caption    = Start of the Formula One [[2014 Bahrain Grand Prix]]
| union      = [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]]
| nickname   =
| first      =
| registered =
| clubs      =
| contact    = No
| team       = Yes
| mgender    = Yes
| category   = [[Race track|Circuit racing]], [[Road racing]]
| equipment  = [[Open-wheel car]]
| venue      = [[Race track|Permanent road]] and [[Street circuit|city street circuits]]
| obsolete   =
| olympic    =
}}
'''Formula racing''', also known as '''open-wheel racing''' in North America, is any of several forms of [[Open-wheel car|open-wheeled]] single-seater [[Auto racing|motorsport]]. A "formula", first devised by [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] for its post–[[World War II]] single-seater races, is a set of regulations for a given type of car. The best known are [[Formula One]], [[Formula E]], [[Formula Two]], [[Formula Three]], [[Formula Regional|regional Formula Three]] and [[Formula Four]]. Common usage of "formula racing" encompasses other single-seater series, including the [[IndyCar Series]] and the [[Super Formula Championship]].

Lower categories such as Formula Three and Formula Two are described as '''junior formulae''', '''lower formulae''', or '''feeder formulae''', referring to their position below top-level series like Formula One on their respective [[career ladder]]s of single-seater motor racing. There are two primary forms of racing formula: open formula, which allows a choice of chassis or engines; and control or "spec" formula, which specifies a single supplier for chassis and engines. [[Formula Three]] is an example of an open formula, while [[Formula BMW]] is a control formula. Exceptions include [[Formula Ford]], which has an open chassis formula but a single-brand engine formula. 

While Formula One is the most expensive form of motorsport in the world, not all formula series are high-cost professional events. Some formulas are intended for juniors and amateurs; [[Formula 1000]] and [[Formula Vee]] are among the least expensive forms of circuit racing.

Most contemporary formula categories allow the use of [[Racing slick|racing slicks]], and extensive use of [[Downforce|wings]] and [[Ground effect (cars)|ground effects]] to increase cornering speeds. However, there are popular amateur categories such as [[Formula Ford]] and [[Formula Vee]] which do not, and consequently have much slower cornering speeds and in which “drafting” plays a much more important role. Occasionally the term “wings and slicks racing” is used to distinguish the faster categories.

== World championships ==
[[File:FIA_F1_Austria_2022_Nr._3_Ricciardo.jpg|thumb|[[Daniel Ricciardo]] during the [[2022 Austrian Grand Prix]]]]
[[File:Jake Dennis at the 2022 Mexico City ePrix.jpg|thumb|[[Jake Dennis]] driving a Gen2 Formula E car at the [[2022 Mexico City ePrix]]]]

=== Formula One ===
{{Main|History of Formula One}}

While reviving [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix racing]] after World War II, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]]'s Commission Sportive Internationale defined the standardised regulations of [[Formula One]] (F1) in 1946. The first race to be run to the early Formula One regulations was a non-championship [[1946 Turin Grand Prix|Grand Prix in Turin]] in September 1946. The first officially recognised Formula One season was held in 1947 and the ''World Championship for Drivers'' was inaugurated in [[1950 Formula One season|1950]].

===Formula E===
{{Main|Formula E}}
'''Formula E''' is the highest class of competition for single-seat, [[Electric vehicle|electrically powered]] [[racing car]]s, which held its inaugural season in [[2014–15 Formula E season|2014–15]]. Conceived in 2012, the championship was intended by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] to serve as an [[Research and development|R&D]] platform for the electric vehicle and promote interest in EVs and sustainability.<ref>{{cite news|author=FIA|date=2017|title=Formula E Season 2017-2018|url=https://www.fia.com/events/formula-e-championship/season-2017-2018/formula-e|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> The series races predominately on temporary circuits in cities such as [[New York City|New York]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Zürich]], [[Berlin]], [[Rome]], and [[Paris]] in events known as "ePrix".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/championship/overview/|title=Championship Overview|publisher=fiaformulae.com|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531145847/http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/championship/overview/|archive-date=31 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In order to cap costs but maintain technological development, the series uses a spec chassis and battery that must be used by all entrants, with competing teams permitted to design and build their own motors, inverter and rear suspension. The series has gained traction in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|author=Formula E|date=31 July 2017|title=Agag: This has been our take-off season|url=http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2017/july/agag-this-has-been-our-take-off-season/|access-date=4 September 2017}}</ref>

== International championships ==

=== Formula 2 ===
{{Main|Formula Two}} {{Main|FIA Formula 2 Championship}}
The '''FIA Formula 2 Championship''' was introduced in {{F2|2017}} by [[Bernie Ecclestone]] and [[Flavio Briatore]] following the rebranding of the long-term [[Formula One|F1]] feeder series – [[GP2 Series]]. Designed to make racing affordable and to make it the perfect training ground for life in F1, F2 has made it mandatory for all of the teams to use the same chassis, engine, and tyre supplier.

=== Formula 3 ===
{{Main|Formula Three}} {{Main|FIA Formula 3 Championship}}
In 2019, the GP3 Series was replaced by international Formula 3, just in the same way that GP2 was rebranded as Formula 2 in 2017. The series' first drivers' champion was [[Robert Shwartzman]] driving for [[Prema Racing]], who also won the teams' championship that year. Before 2024, the FIA Formula 3 World Cup took place at the end of the season at the [[Macau Grand Prix]]. However, due to various reasons, it has been discontinued. [[Formula Regional]] category cars have raced in place of Formula 3 cars at the Macau Grand Prix since then. 

== Regional championships ==

=== Formula Regional ===
{{Main|Formula Regional}}
'''Formula Regional''' is the last category that takes place outside the F1 events format. It was created to take over from the various F3 championships around the world after the FIA deemed that the title "Formula 3" would be exclusively used by the series that runs on F1 weekends known previously as GP3. Each championship corresponds to one specific region: Asia, Americas, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East and Oceania (New Zealand).

== National championships ==

=== Formula 4 ===
{{Main|Formula 4}}
FIA '''Formula 4''', also called FIA F4, is an open-wheel racing car category intended for junior drivers. There is no global championship, but rather individual nations or regions can host their own championships in compliance with a universal set of rules and specifications. The category was created by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)—the International sanctioning and administrative body for motorsport—as an entry-level category for young drivers, bridging the gap between karting and Formula 3. The series is a part of the FIA Global Pathway.

==North America==
{{Main|American open-wheel car racing}}
[[File:Robert Wickens Luca Oil 2018.png|thumb|[[Robert Wickens]] car before the [[2018 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg]]|alt=]]
[[File:BeatrizFreedom100.jpg|thumb|[[Ana Beatriz]] during the 2008 [[Freedom 100]] [[Indy Lights]] race at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]]] 
[[File:Heamin Choi Pro Mazda.jpg|thumb|Heamin Choi during the 2009 [[Pro Mazda Championship|Pro Mazda]] race at [[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca]]]]

===IndyCar Series===
{{Main|IndyCar Series}}
The '''IndyCar Series''' is the premier level of [[American open-wheel car racing|formula racing in North America]]. The sport, in general, traces its roots as far back as 1905. The current series, founded by then-[[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] CEO [[Tony George]], began in [[1996 Indy Racing League season|1996]] as the "Indy Racing League" (IRL). In [[2008 IndyCar Series season|2008]], the series merged with the rival [[Champ Car World Series]], formerly known as CART, to form the IndyCar Series. A typical IndyCar season contains races on a mixture of natural terrain road courses, temporary street circuits, small [[oval track racing|ovals]] (also known as ''short tracks''), and larger, high-speed ovals (also known as ''superspeedways''); including the historic [[Indianapolis 500]].

===Indy NXT===
{{Main|Indy NXT}}
'''Indy NXT''',  previously known as '''Indy Lights''', is the top feeder series for the [[IndyCar Series]], similar to [[Formula One|F1]]'s relationship with [[FIA F2 Championship|Formula 2]]. The original Indy Lights (known as "American Racing Series") acted as a developmental circuit for [[Champ Car|CART]] from 1986 to [[2001 Indy Lights season|2001]]. The current series was founded in 2002 by IndyCar.

===USF Pro 2000 Championship===
{{Main|USF Pro 2000 Championship}}
The '''USF Pro 2000 Championship''' formally known as '''Indy Pro 2000 Championship''' has been an officially sanctioned development series since 2011, when it became governed by IndyCar, although the original series started in 1991 as the [[Star Mazda Championship]]. Drivers currently use [[Tatuus IP-22]] cars.

===USF2000 Championship===
{{Main|USF2000 Championship}}
The '''USF2000 Championship''' formally known as '''U.S. F2000 National Championship''' is an American variation of the [[Formula Ford]]. The series was initially founded by Dan Andersen and Mike Foschi in 1990 and regularly fielded over 60 entries per race. In 2001, the series was sold to Jon Baytos who introduced a number of controversial rule changes that brought the series out of alignment with similar [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]] classes, which led to a reduction in participation and the end of the series in 2006. In 2010, the series returned under the leadership of Andersen with the intent to return F2000 to its status as a feeder formula for higher [[open wheel racing]] classes in the [[United States]].

===USF Juniors===
{{Main|USF Juniors}}
The '''USF Juniors''' is a new addition to the [[Road to Indy]] pathway, sanctioned by USAC in 2022, it is the equivalent to Formula 4.

==Japan==

===Super Formula===
{{Main|Super Formula Championship}}
[[File:Koudai Tsukakoshi Formula Nippon 2012.jpg|thumb|[[Koudai Tsukakoshi]] during the 2012 [[Formula Nippon]] race at [[Twin Ring Motegi]]]]
[[File:Yuji Kunimoto 2010 All-Japan F3 Motegi (May) Race-2 1.jpg|thumb|[[Yuji Kunimoto]] during the 2010 [[All-Japan Formula Three|All-Japan F3]] race at [[Twin Ring Motegi]]]]
'''Super Formula''', previously known as '''Formula Nippon''', is the premier level of Japanese formula racing. It began as the Japanese Formula 2000 series in 1973 and continued to use Formula Two regulations after European Formula Two had ended in 1984. In 1987 the series switched to the [[Formula 3000]] standard so that Japanese and European regulations paralleled one another again. However, in 1996, the International Formula 3000 series became a one-make format to reduce costs and the Japanese Formula broke away, changing the series' name to Formula Nippon. Formula Nippon featured chassis supplied by [[Lola Cars|Lola]], [[Reynard Motorsport|Reynard]] and [[Panoz|G-Force]] until 2001 and 2002 when G-Force and Reynard withdrew, while [[Mugen Motorsports|Mugen]]-[[Honda]] supplied most engines. In 2006, the regulations were changed drastically – the chassis was replaced and engines were now provided by [[Toyota]] and [[Honda]]. The engines had the same specifications as those used in the [[2005 IndyCar Series season|2005 IndyCar Series]].

===Super Formula Lights===
{{Main|Super Formula Lights}}

===FR Japanese Championship===
{{Main|Formula Regional Japanese Championship}}

===JAF-F4===
{{Main|Japan Formula 4}}

==Other formula series==
[[File:Felipe Nasr FBMW 2009 Spa-Francorchamps.jpg|thumb|[[Felipe Nasr]] during the 2009 [[Formula BMW]] race at [[Spa-Francorchamps]]]]

{{Div col}}
* [[Euroformula Open Championship]] 
* [[F1 Academy]]
* [[F1 in Schools]]
* [[Formula 1000]]
* [[Formula Continental]]
* [[Formula Ford]]
* [[Formula LGB Hyundai]]
* [[Formula LGB Swift]] 
* [[Formula SCCA]]
* [[Formula Student]]
* [[Formula Vee]]
* [[Formula Woman]]
* [[GB3 Championship]]
* [[FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship|Masters Historic Formula One Championship]]
* [[Monoposto Racing Club]]
* [[S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship]]
* [[Toyota Racing Series]]
{{Div col end}}

==Defunct series==
[[File:Ivan Samarin Formula Two.JPG|thumb|[[Ivan Samarin (racing driver)|Ivan Samarin]] in his [[2010 Formula Two season|2010 Formula Two]] car]]
[[File:Enge 1998 f3000.jpg|thumb|[[Tomáš Enge]] driving a 1998 [[International Formula 3000]] car]]
[[File:International formula master car.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Ammermüller]] during a 2008 [[International Formula Master]] race]]
[[File:A1 Grand Prix, Kyalami - The Netherlands.jpg|thumb|Team The Netherlands during the 2009 [[A1 Grand Prix]] at [[Kyalami]]]]
[[File:SF Donington 2.jpg|thumb|[[Tottenham Hotspur]] during the 2008 [[Superleague Formula]] race at [[Donington Park]]]]
[[File:FV6A Launch.jpg|thumb|[[Formula V6 Asia|Formula Asia V6]] launch event in [[Hong Kong]] in 2006]]
Formula series from the 21st century that could be categorised between Tier 1 and Tier 5 (see top of page), but are now defunct, are described below.

===Formula Two (1947–1985; 2009–2012)===
{{Main|Formula Two}}
The '''Formula Two''' regulations were first defined in 1947 as a form of B-class below Formula One.<ref>[http://www.formula2.net/ Formula Two] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320000342/http://www.formula2.net/ |date=20 March 2012 }} From ''formula2.net.'' Retrieved on 28 August 2007.</ref> It was not unusual for some Formula One events to include a number of F2 entries in the same field and the entries in the World Championship seasons of 1952–53 comprised exclusively F2 cars for reasons of cost. F2 had a patchy history until the inauguration of the European Formula Two Championship in 1967. F2 was an open formula that allowed the use of any chassis that met the prescribed regulations; it was well supported during the 1970s, with chassis from [[Tecno (motorsport)|Tecno]], [[March Engineering]], [[Toleman]], [[Ralt]], [[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] and others. The European championship ran continually until the creation of its successor, [[International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]], in 1985. In 2008 it was announced by the FIA that Formula Two would return in 2009 in the form of the [[FIA Formula Two Championship (2009–2012)|FIA Formula Two Championship]]. This series was discontinued after the 2012 season.

===Formula 3000 (1985–2004)===
{{Main|International Formula 3000}}
The '''Formula 3000''' was created by the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] in [[1985 Formula 3000 season|1985]] to become the final step for drivers before entering [[Formula One]]. [[Formula Two]] had become too expensive and was dominated by works-run cars with factory engines. Formula 3000 offered quicker, cheaper, more open racing. The series began as an open formula, but in [[1986 Formula 3000 season|1986]] tyres were standardized, followed by engines and chassis in [[1996 Formula 3000 season|1996]]. The series ran until [[2004 Formula 3000 season|2004]] and was replaced in 2005 by the [[GP2 Series]].

===Formula 5000 (1968-1982)===
{{Main|Formula 5000}}
'''Formula 5000''' (or '''F5000''') was an [[Open-wheel car|open wheel, single seater]] auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula. The '5000' denomination comes from the maximum 5.0 litre engine capacity allowed in the cars, although many cars ran with smaller engines.

===International Formula Master (2005–2009)===
{{Main|International Formula Master}}
'''International Formula Master''', a.k.a. '''Formula Super 2000''', was conceived as a competitor for [[Formula Three]]. It started in 2005 as the '''3000 Pro Series''', organised by Peroni Promotion. MTC Organisation took over in 2006 and turned it into a support series for the [[World Touring Car Championship|WTCC]]. Drivers used second-hand Formula 2000 cars made by [[Tatuus]] that were powered by a 250 [[horsepower|hp]] [[Honda K engine#K20A|Honda K20A engine]].

===A1 Grand Prix (2005–2009)===
{{Main|A1 Grand Prix}}
'''A1 Grand Prix''' ('''A1GP''') was unique in its field in that competitors solely represented their nation as opposed to themselves or a team, the usual format in most formula racing series. As such, it was often promoted as the "World Cup of Motorsport". Also, the series attracted equal numbers of (former or future) [[Formula One]] drivers and [[IndyCar Series]] drivers. The concept was founded by [[Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum|Sheikh Al Maktoum of Dubai]] in 2004, but sold to the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] in 2005. The races were held in the traditional [[Formula One]] off-season, the northern hemisphere winter. Between [[2005-06 A1 Grand Prix season|2005]] and [[2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season|2009]] 29 countries from five continents participated.

===Superleague Formula (2008–2011)===
{{Main|Superleague Formula}}
Using 750 [[horsepower|hp]] [[V12 engine]]s, '''Superleague Formula''' introduced team sponsorship by association football clubs. In qualifying, the link with football was also present as the series employed a system based on a group stage to knock-out format used in some football tournaments. Another unique feature of Superleague Formula was the Super Final, a five-lap shootout between the six best drivers of a weekend. In 2010, the series offered the biggest prize fund in European motorsport with the champion set to earn €1 million. In theory, it would be possible for a driver to earn up to €2.2 million over the course of the season. This was all done to give drivers a chance to earn a living from motorsport. By 2011, the link with football was fading with more than half the teams no longer associated with football teams, The later races of the season did not take place, and no further seasons were organised.

===Formula Dream (1999–2005)===
{{Main|Formula Dream}}
''See: [[Formula Racing#Tier 5 – Formula Challenge Japan|Formula Challenge Japan]]''

===Formula V6 Asia (2006–2009)===
{{Main|Formula V6 Asia}}
'''Formula Asia V6 (Renault)''' was launched in 2006 to give [[Southeast Asian]]-based drivers a chance to progress from karting through junior single-seaters to international motorsport. [[Karun Chandhok]], for example, won the [[2006 Formula V6 Asia season|2006 championship]] and was rewarded with a test in a [[World Series by Renault]] car at [[Paul Ricard]]. Drivers ran with [[Tatuus]] chassis, a [[Renault]] 3.5L [[V6 engine]] and [[Michelin]] tyres.

===Auto GP (1999)===
{{Main|Auto GP}}
The '''Auto GP''' World Series' roots can be traced back to 1999 and the Italian Formula 3000 series. At first, nearly all races were held in Italy, but the series expanded throughout Europe quickly. In 2001 the series became European Formula 3000 and in 2004 Superfund became the title sponsor, planning to set up the Formula Superfund series. However, the funding was pulled and the series was cancelled. Therefore, Coloni Motorsport re-established the Italian Formula 3000 and expanded this in 2006 to the Euroseries 3000. In 2010, the first-generation A1 Grand Prix cars replaced the Lola F3000 chassis and the Auto GP name was adopted.

===Others===

{{Div col}}
* [[Atlantic Championship]]
* [[ADAC Formel Masters]]
* [[China Formula Grand Prix]]
* [[EuroBOSS Series]]
* [[Florida Winter Series]]
* [[Formula Atlantic]]
* [[Formula Acceleration 1]]
* [[Formula BMW]]
* [[Formula Holden]]
* [[Formula Masters China]]
* [[Formula Renault]] 
* [[Formula Volkswagen South Africa Championship]]
* [[W Series (championship)|W Series]]
{{Div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Open-wheel car]]

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{Class of Auto racing}}
{{Racing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Formula Racing}}
[[Category:Formula racing| ]]