Formula 3000

In 1985, the Fédération Internationale d'Automobile (FIA) created the Formula 3000 championship to become the final career step for drivers willing to enter the Formula One championship.

The series remained unchanged for about a decade, but increasing costs meant the popularity of the series was waning by the mid 1990s.

In 1996, new rules were introduced. These introduced a single engine, chassis and tyre manufacturer for the series. The following year the calendar was combine with that of Formula One, so the series became support races for the Grand Prix. These measure decreased the costs and popularity grew. In 2000, the series was restricted to 15 teams of 2 cars each.

Champions

Over the years, the following drives have become champion:

• 1985 Christian Danner, West Germany
• 1986 Ivan Capelli, Italy
• 1987 Stefano Modena, Italy
• 1988 Roberto Moreno, Brazil
• 1989 Jean Alesi, France
• 1990 Erik Comas, France
• 1991 Christian Fittipaldi, Brazil
• 1992 Luca Badoer, Italy
• 1993 Olivier Panis, France
• 1994 Jean-Christophe Boullion, France
• 1995 Vincenzo Sospiri, Italy
• 1996 Jorg Müller, Germany
• 1997 Ricardo Zonta, Brazil
• 1998 Juan Pablo Montoya, Colombia
• 1999 Nick Heidfeld, Germany
• 2000 Bruno Junqueira, Brazil
• 2001 Justin Wilson, Great Britain
• 2002 Sebastian Bourdais, France
• 2003 Bjorn Wirdheim, Sweden

Three past F3000 champions have never appeared in an F1 race: Bourdais and Junqueira both race in Champ Cars, Muller races touring cars. A fourth champion, Sospiri, has attempted to qualify for a race and failed to make it, having raced for a highly unprepared team with poor equipment. It is uncertain at the moment where Wirdheim will race in 2004.

Three of them have won a F1 Grand Prix: Alesi, Panis and Montoya (who also won the Indy 500 once).