Formula Mondial was an international motor racing category which was introduced to replace both
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open-wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club ...
and the similar
Formula Pacific[''The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring'', 1986, page 171] in 1983.
[''Australian Motor Racing Yearbook, 1982/83'', page 11]
The regulations specified a single-seat, open-wheeled chassis
with a flat bottom, thus excluding any
ground effects designs.
Engines had to be 1.6-litre four-cylinder units sourced from a production touring car
although only the
Ford Cosworth BDA engine was actually homologated for the category.
The
FIA World Cup Commission issued regulations for the staging of various zone competitions throughout the world with competitors intended to come together for a World Cup final.
The Southern Pacific Zone series was staged in New Zealand and Australia in early 1983 and was won by Australian
Charlie O’Brien[''Australian Motor Racing Yearbook, 1983/84'', page 233] and the Formula Mondial North American Cup series was won by American
Michael Andretti
Michael Mario Andretti (born October 5, 1962) is an American former racing driver, and current team owner. Statistically one of the most successful drivers in the history of American open-wheel car racing, Andretti won the 1991 CART champions ...
. However the World Cup finals series, which was to have been contested over four races in
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
, Canada in September 1983 was cancelled the month before it was due to be run.
Although embraced at a national level by Australia and New Zealand, Formula Mondial was not taken up as expected in the South East Asia region—where
Formula Two
Formula Two (F2) is a type of Open-wheel car, open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship season, 2009 to 2012 FIA Formula Two C ...
was adopted—or by the United Kingdom, which favoured
Formula Three
Formula Three (F3) is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers.
History
Formula Three (adop ...
.
It was abandoned in the United States and Canada.
[''The Official 50-race history of the Australian Grand Prix'', 1986, page 478] and ceased to be an International Formula from the end of 1984. The category largely died out in Australia after 1986, with
Australian Formula 2 taking over as the top open wheel series for two years until the advent of
Formula Holden in 1989.
[''Australian Motor Racing Yearbook, 1984/85'', page 203]
References
{{Class of Auto racing
Formula racing
Motorsport categories in Australia