Formula Three Sudamericana
 |
|
| Category | Single seaters |
|---|---|
| Country | Brazil |
| Inaugural season | 1987 |
| Folded | 2013 |
| Constructors | Dallara |
| Engine suppliers | Berta |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Last Drivers' champion |
 Felipe Guimarães
|
| Last Teams' champion |
 Hitech Racing
|
| Official website | www |
Formula 3 Sudamericana was a South American Formula Three championship. It was inaugurated in 1987 and primarily held races in Brazil and Argentina, with a small number of events held in other countries across the continent. Its most notable graduates include former Formula One drivers Nelson Piquet, Jr., Ricardo Zonta and Christian Fittipaldi, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves, and Champ Car champion and former F1 driver Cristiano da Matta. The series was replaced for 2014 by the Brazilian Formula Three Championship, which focuses on Brazilian circuits and drivers.
Prior to the creation in 1987 of a regional Formula Three championship in South America, the Codasur championship was held annually between 1983 and 1986. This series utilised local chassis or Formula Three chassis with Renault or Volkswagen 1500-1600cc engines. Each of the four drivers' championship titles went to Guillermo Maldonado of Argentina. Maldonado, like many of his contemporaries, also functioned as a team owner.
The Codasur Championship's team owners and the governing bodies of national motorsport in the region began collectively to discuss its replacement with a current European or worldwide formula. They wanted a formula that would provide young South American drivers with experience that would be relevant when, or if, they had the opportunity to further their career internationally. The long-established Formula Three was the obvious choice.
The Petrobras was announced as the official sponsor of the 2010 season of Formula 3 South America. The agreement, made possible through the Law for Encouragement of Sport - Sports Ministry - is worth $3 million and valid for a period of 12 months.
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