The 1983 British Formula Three Championship was the 33rd season of the British Formula Three Championship, starting at Silverstone on 6 March and concluding at Thruxton on 23 October after 20 races.
The season saw a head-to-head title battle between future Formula One stars Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle - both driving Toyota-powered Ralt chassis, prepared by West Surrey Racing and Eddie Jordan Racing respectively. Senna built up a commanding advantage by winning the first nine races in succession, but a series of retirements for the Brazilian later in the year allowed Brundle to close the gap. The Brit took the points lead heading into the series finale, but Senna dominated the race to secure the title.
Senna won 12 of the 20 races in the season (60% of that year's races), a record until Jan Magnussen won 14 of the 18 races in the 1994 season (78% of that year's races). Both Senna and Brundle stepped up to F1 in 1984, joining Toleman and Tyrrell respectively.
Other notable drivers from the year included future Le Mans winner Davy Jones, BTCC star David Leslie and Senna's future Lotus teammate Johnny Dumfries. 1983 was also the final season before 'Class B' was established, offering a separate prize for those competing in older cars.
Race calendar and results Round Circuit Date Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Winning team 1 Silverstone 6 March David Leslie Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 2 Thruxton 13 March Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 3 Silverstone 20 March Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 4 Donington Park 27 March Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Davy Jones Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 5 Thruxton 4 April Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 6 Silverstone 24 April Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 7 Thruxton 2 May Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 8 Brands Hatch 8 May Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 9 Silverstone 30 May Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 10 Silverstone 12 June Martin Brundle Davy Jones Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 11 Cadwell Park 19 June Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 12 Snetterton 3 July Martin Brundle Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 13 Silverstone 16 July Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 14 Donington Park 24 July Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 15 Oulton Park 6 August Martin Brundle Ayrton Senna Calvin Fish David Price Racing 16 Silverstone 29 August Ayrton Senna Davy Jones Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing 17 Oulton Park 11 September Ayrton Senna Davy Jones Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 18 Thruxton 18 September Ayrton Senna Martin Brundle Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 19 Silverstone 2 October Davy Jones Martin Brundle Martin Brundle Eddie Jordan Racing 20 Thruxton 23 October Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna West Surrey Racing
Brundle was ineligible to score points as he was using European specification tyres. Allen Berg therefore secured maximum points at this round.
Championship Standings Points in brackets include dropped scores – only the best 17 of 20 scores count towards the championship Pos.DriverTeamSILTHRSILDONTHRSILTHRBRHSILSILCADSNESILDONOULSILOULTHRSILTHRPts1 Ayrton SennaWest Surrey Racing111111111RetDNSRet12Ret1RetRet211322 Martin BrundleEddie Jordan Racing22222322211121Ret2111(3) 3 Davy JonesMurray Taylor Racing3Ret43Ret233514327323Ret232774 Calvin FishDavid Price Racing4Ret3Ret34Ret44162334152345675 Allen BergNeil Trundle Racing1087Ret5765310RetRet4Ret345Ret5DNS326 Mario HyttenAxxess Racing Team53Ret4484Ret7Ret556974237 David LeslieRobinson Motorsport7456Ret656RetRetRet864Ret346228 Eric LangMurray Taylor Racing12RetRetRet10139118174697Ret1166156109 Tony TrevorDriver86Ret898891964Ret857712910 Richard TrottRichard Trott RacingRet5DNSRetDNS61254Ret811 Johnny DumfriesAssociated Racing65Ret875RetRetRetRetDNS5Ret616812 David HuntEddie Jordan Racing995Ret7213 Tim Lee-DaveyDavid Luff Racing9612Ret610772210811214 Mike BlanchetTarry Racing101710921DNS12Ret108115 Carlton TinglingTingling Racing14DNS11Ret1214DNS101023Ret13106Ret871391
European Championship race where the British runners had to use regulation Avon rubber to be eligible for British championship points.
References