Today, Formula 1’s top feeder series is tightly integrated into the world championship structure. Formula 2 (formerly known as GP2) only races at grand prix weekends and all teams must use the same components.

However its immediate predecessor began life as a much freer competition. Teams not only had the choice of different chassis manufacturers but also suppliers of engines, tyres and more. The top international championship visited a diverse range of tracks beyond those found on the F1 schedule, including France’s charming Pau Grand Prix course and the dauntingly fast Enna-Pergusa in Sicily.

But from the birth of Formula 3000 in 1985 to the end of the international series 20 years later, that variety and technical freedom was gradually stripped away. As a result, though F1’s feeder series continued to propel new drivers up the ranks, it ceased to offer a route for new teams to graduate, as the likes of Jordan (now Aston Martin) once did.

Evro’s latest offering, penned by James Newbold, offers a full history of F3000, covering not only the often spectacular international championship but also regional offshoots. These include the Japanese series, noted for the development tyre compounds which allowed cars to rival F1 cornering speeds at some tracks, as well as the European and British series.

A recent book on the original Formula 2 series by the same publisher proved somewhat of a disappointment as its thin text failed to meet the standard set by the rich photography. Happily, that is not the case with this considerably more detailed account.

The author has done his research, collected a wealth of interview material and assembled a consistently detailed season-by-season narrative. This is punctuated by sidebars on notable names and events, such as the one-off non-championship race at Curacao in 1985, technical rows over ‘rocket fuel’ and the horrific crash which claimed the life of poor Marco Campos at Magny-Cours on the final lap of the 1995 season.

Followers of F1’s junior series know they inevitably produce many great talents who never get the chance to demonstrate their potential in F1. There are many such cases from two decades of F3000 and Newbold has done a great job of showcasing them here.

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A fine production is completed by full colour photography of the championship’s enormous entries (some grids featured more than 30 cars), unusual venues and fresh-faced future stars.

Those with fond memories of what was once F1’s top feeder championship will find much to enjoy here. It’s a welcome reminder of the days when motor racing was freer and more open, and better for it.

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“Formula 3000: Where Legends Earned Their Stripes”

Author: James Newbold
Publisher: Evro
Published: 2025
Pages: 416
Price: £75
ISBN: 9781910505946

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