F2 & F3 to revert to two-race weekend format from 2022

For 2021, the FIA decided to alter the format for Formula 1’s main two junior categories as a way to cut costs during the pandemic.

F2 and F3 would no longer race on the same weekend as each other, while three races would take place. 

The format has ultimately proved to be unpopular among fans due to the lengthy breaks between rounds while having an additional sprint race hasn’t improved the racing.

From 2022, F2 and F3 will revert to their more familiar format of having two races - a feature race and a sprint race - as support races for F1.

The two categories will race at this same weekend at “most” but “not all” rounds during the season.

The main difference compared to the old format - prior to 2021 - is that the main feature race will take place on the Sunday, not Saturday after F1 qualfiying.

For both F2 and F3, qualifying will take place on Fridays, while the sprint race will happen on Saturdays.

The grid for the sprint will be the top 10 (or top 12 in F3) qualifying result reversed, but the grid for the feature race will be determined by Friday's qualifying result.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed the full calendar for both F2 and F3 will be released following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC).

Speaking of the announcement, Domenicali said: “We are pleased to announce the changes to the weekend format for Formula 2 and 3 for next season and I am grateful to Bruno and the teams for their efforts to make this happen. The 2021 season has been hugely exciting and the talent on display in both Championships is incredible. We want to ensure all our fans get the maximum entertainment during a race weekend and bringing the Championships back together in 2022 will provide more racing action during our events and ensure our fans have activity that will keep them engaged and excited.”