Sochi replaces COTA as 2021 Formula 3 season finale

COTA was set to host its first ever F3 race but the event will no longer go ahead due to “unavoidable logistical changes that heavily impacted the overall costs of the planned Austin event for F3”.

The final round of the 2021 season will now take place in Sochi on September 24-26, supporting Formula 1’s Russian Grand Prix.

F3 will now share a track with Formula 2 for the first time since revisions were made to both championship’s format schedules. F2 and F3 previously raced on the same weekends until this year.

It means there are set to be a total of six races supporting F1, causing a scheduling headache for the organisers.

“I want to thank F1 and the FIA, our teams and everyone involved, including the Sochi promoters, for agreeing on such short notice to this change,” said FIA F3 CEO Bruno Michel.

“We are pleased to bring our two categories to Russia again, but I am also sorry for not taking F3 to Austin this year, and I’m looking forward to racing there in the future.”