French Formula 3 1981

Philippe Streiff's main focus in 1981 was the European Formula 3 Championship, but he found time to take in enough rounds of the French championship to win that title. He was narrowly beaten by Alain Abdel in a Ralt RT3/80 at Dijon in May, and then by Jean-Michel Neyrial in a one-year-old Martini MK31 at Paul Ricard in July, but won two other races and also picked up points in the three European rounds that counted towards the French title.

Martinis made up nearly half the grids of the eight domestic races. Only 20% of the participating cars were 1981 models, almost all of which were Martini MK34s, while 50% were one year old, and 30% were older. In comparison, in the British championship, 68% were 1981 models - mainly Ralts, Marchs and Argos - 20% were one year old, and just 12% were older. There remained very little interest in the Ralt in France, and no interest whatsoever in the Martini in Britain.

The races

19 Apr 1981 > Nogaro

03 May 1981 > Trophée Jean Bernigaud at Magny Cours

17 May 1981 > Dijon-Prenois

24 May 1981 > Grand Prix de La Châtre

28 Jun 1981 > Trophée d'Arras at Croix-en-Ternois

05 Jul 1981 > Dijon-Prenois

26 Jul 1981 > Paul Ricard

13 Sep 1981 > Nogaro

20 Sep 1981 > Le Mans-Bugatti

27 Sep 1981 > Albi

04 Oct 1981 > Rouen-les-Essarts

1981 Championnat de France de Formule 3 table

Points table from Autosport 19 Nov 1981 p29. Sport Auto, the motor racing magazine in France, reported the European and British F3 championships in its end of season Formula 3 review, but made no mention of the French championship.