With the FIA Formula 3 still very fresh in peoples mind and the end of season test scheduled, here's a look at 13 drivers I expect will play some part in F3 during 2023.
2022 was decided in dramatic fashion in Monza as Victor Martins had an anxious wait to be finally confirmed as champion after a red flag brought an end to the season.
I expect the 2023 grid will feature plenty of rookies as the 10 constructor teams shuffle their packs during the next few months and until the series starts next year.
Here are the 13 drivers I've chosen who I think will make up almost half of next year's grid:
Alex Dunne
The Irish teenager is currently leading the British F4 championship for Hitech Grand Prix and simultaneously racing in Italian F4 where he sits third behind Mercedes and Ferrari F1 juniors Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Rafael Camara.
Possible team(s): Jenzer, Hitech, Carlin.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
The aforementioned Antonelli has set Europe alight with his form this season, leading both Italian F4 and ADAC F4 - the largely German based F4 series. He’s won 16 out of his 27 races so far in both series and looks highly like to go and with both, following in the path Ollie Bearman who did the same last year for PREMA before moving to F3 for 2022.
Possible team(s): PREMA, ART Grand Prix.
Oliver Goethe
Euroformula Open Championship leader Goethe is kind of an anomaly in that he has already made his F3 debut but still qualifies as a rookie having done just two rounds. The Danish-Monegasque driver impressed as he took a seat in a Campos, covering for injured Hunter Yeany and starting from pole for the sprint race in Hungary and coming up just short in the feature race in Belgium, a day after a scary crash with Trident's Zane Maloney. He's likely to seal the Euroformula title in the coming round at Monza.
Possible team(s): Campos, Trident, MP Motorsport, Van Amersfoort Racing.
Sebastian Montoya
Like Goethe, Montoya also made his F3 bow with Campos, also replacing Yeany at Zandvoort. The Red Bull supported Colombian and son of F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya qualified a fantastic 8th and finished both the sprint and feature race in that position. Full time, he's competing in Formula Regional European(FRECA), where he sits 10th overall.
Possible teams(s): Hitech, Jenzer, Campos, Van Amersfoort Racing.
Dino Beganovic
Swedish racer Beganovic is a current Ferrari academy prospect and currently leading FRECA standings as he races in the series for a second year. The second year seems as though it'll be a success at this stage, with Beganovic expected to seal the FRECA title sooner, rather than later.
Possible team(s): PREMA, Hitech.
Hadrien David
'Alpine Affiliate' Hadrien David has been hotly tipped for an F3 stint for what now seems a while, with the Frenchman finishing second in FRECA in 2021. At that stage, Hadrien looked set to move up but he opted for another year in the series, with Alpine's support this time. Sitting fourth currently and still picking up wins with R-ace GP, David looks certain to step up.
Possible team(s): ART Grand Prix, MP Motorsport.
Abbi Pulling
Another Alpine Affiliate, Abbi Pulling could be the real deal. Currently starring in W Series, she sits 4th in the standings behind experienced campaigners Jamie Chadwick, Alice Powell and Beitske Visser with four rounds still to go in her season. She is currently in my opinion, the most likely female driver to get to Formula 1.
Possible team(s): ART Grand Prix, MP Motorsport, Campos.
Paul Aron
Another Mercedes junior, Aron will expect to make the jump alongside Mercedes teammate Antonelli for 2023. Another in his second year of FRECA, he finished third in 2021, and sits the same position so far this year, so his consistency will be crucial moving forward.
Potential team(s): ART Grand Prix, Campos, Carlin, Hitech.
Joel Granfors
The current GB3 Championship second place driver, Swedish driver Granfors led the series for much of the season and continues to do battle at the front of the field. Before too long, I expect Granfors to excite on the F3 grid, as he, a proven strong wheel to wheel racer, prepares to have a final push for the GB3 title.
Note: the GB3 Championship winner is rewarded with a seat in F3, like Zak O'Sullivan this year.
Potential team(s): Carlin, Jenzer, Charouz.
Luke Browning
Fighting for the GB3 Championship title, against Granfors, 20 year old Browning could be an exciting prospect in F3 if and when he makes the step up. This year he's been one of the protagonists in a season long battle with Granfors and now looks all but set to feature heavily in next year's action.
Possible team(s): Carlin, Hitech.
Gabriele Mini
At 17, Italian driver Mini is starring in FRECA and making waves across Europe and being touted for stardom. With already an impressive CV, including an Italian F4 title in his single seater debut year in 2020 as well as 4th in his FRECA rookie year, he could well be a F3 title contender in 2023.
Potential teams: ART Grand Prix, Trident, Van Amersfoort Racing.
Charlie Wurz
Another son of a former F1 star; Alex Wurz's son Charlie was a breakout star of 2021 and 2022. The winner of the 2022 F4 UAE Championship he's also competed in Spanish F4 and Italian F4 this year, adding vital experience to his racing CV. In sticking with the theme of former F1 names, Wurz could find like Enzo Trulli has this year; F3 takes time to get up to speed with.
Predicted team: Campos, Charouz, Jenzer.
Nikola Tsolov
Last but certainly not least, Bulgarian star Nikola Tsolov. Tsolov is a protégé of Fernando Alonso and will come to F3 highly recommended for future greatness. Another 'Alpine Affiliate' on this list, the 16 year old has been in good form in his single seater rookie year; he's dominated Spanish F4 leading by over 100 points, winning 10 out of his 15 races. Oh, and he's just 15. A very bright future for this kid.
Predicted team: Campos, ART Grand Prix, MP Motorsport.
Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming F3 test at Jerez, a few here could feature!
Image credit(s): Formula Motorsport Limited, RoKit British F4 Championship, PREMA Racing, FRECA, GB3 Championship, Nikola Tsolov.
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