As the final rung below Formula 1 on motor racing’s ladder to the top, the International Formula 3000 Championship ran from 1985 to 2004 and nurtured numerous drivers who went on to become future stars. Jean Alesi, Christian Fittipaldi, Juan Pablo Montoya and Nick Heidfeld all became International F3000 champions on the way to Formula 1. Brooklands Members president Damon Hill impressed in F3000 before securing the Williams testing role, which led to a full-time drive and ultimately the championship. Notables who established themselves in team ownership and management included Eddie Jordan, Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and David Sears.
Our speaker is James Newbold, author of "Formula 3000 – Where Legends Earned Their Stripes" whose meticulous research into F3000’s 20-year history included interviews with over 100 key figures from the era. James is joined by prominent F3000 drivers, engineers and team owners, including former Lotus Formula One driver Martin Donnelly, who was a consultant on the 2025 Brad Pitt blockbuster film, F1, and whose Jerez accident features in the movie.
