 | |
| Category | Single-seater |
|---|---|
| Country | International |
| Region | Europe,North America,Australasia |
| Inaugural season | 1958 |
| Folded | 1963 |
| Constructors | Italy:Stanguellini,Taraschi,Osca,Dagrada UK:Lotus,Cooper,Brabham,Lola,Elva Others:Melkus (GDR),De Sanctis,Gemini |
| Engine suppliers | Fiat,Lancia,Ford,BMC,DKW,Saab |
| Tyre suppliers | Dunlop,Continental |
Formula Junior (FJ) is an historicopen-wheel racing category which served as an international entry-level class between 1958 and 1963. The formula was conceived by Italian CountGiovanni Lurani to provide an affordable entry point for young drivers into single-seater racing, utilizing mechanical components derived from volume-production road cars.
It effectively bridged the gap betweenkarting andFormula One, replacing the diminishing 500ccFormula 3 class. During its six-year lifespan, Formula Junior facilitated the transition of race car design from front-engined spaceframes to rear-engined monocoque and spaceframe hybrids. It launched the careers of multiple World Champions, includingJim Clark,John Surtees,Denny Hulme, andJochen Rindt.[6]
The category was discontinued at the end of the 1963 season, with the governing body, theFIA, replacing it with revivedFormula Two andFormula Three categories for 1964. Today, Formula Junior remains one of the most popular categories in historic motorsport.
The rules for Formula Junior were adopted by the CSI (International Sporting Commission) in October 1958. They were designed to ensure cars were relatively inexpensive to build and maintain.[7] Key technical regulations included:
Count Giovanni Lurani recognized that Italy lacked a training class for drivers to replace the aging pre-war generation.[8] With the 500cc motorcycle-engined Formula 3 proving too specialized and fragile, Lurani proposed a "Formula Junior" based on the readily availableFiat 1100 engine.[9]
The inaugural race took place at theAutodromo Nazionale Monza on 25 April 1958. It was won by Roberto Lippi in aStanguellini. Early grids were dominated by Italian constructors such as Stanguellini,Taraschi, and Dagrada. These cars followed traditional design philosophies: front-mounted engines, tubular spaceframe chassis, and components primarily from the Fiat 1100 orLancia Appia.[10]
As the formula spread internationally, British constructors entered the market.[8] While early British efforts like theElva 100 andGemini Mk2 retained the front-engine layout, the introduction of theCooper T52 and theLotus 18 in 1960 revolutionized the class.[11][12]
These British cars placed the engine behind the driver, offering superior aerodynamics, lower frontal area, and better weight distribution.[13] Concurrently, engine tuning specialists such asCosworth and Holbay began developing theFord 105E (from the Ford Anglia) and theBMC A-Series engine.[14][15] These engines, particularly the Ford, proved more tunable and capable of higher RPMs than the Fiat units.[16][17]
By 1961, the rear-engined layout was standard.[8]Lotus (with the 20, 22, and 27 models),Cooper,Brabham (BT2, BT6), andLola dominated the grids.[18] The intense competition turned Formula Junior into a "mini-Formula 1," with professional teams and increasing costs.[19][20]
The escalation in costs and technology defeated the original "low-cost" purpose of the formula. In 1964, the FIA abolished Formula Junior. It was replaced by a two-tier structure:
Formula Junior did not have a single World Championship. Instead, various national championships and international series were held.
| Year | Series | Champion | Car / Engine | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | International FJ Championship |  Michael May | Stanguellini-Fiat | "International Formula Junior".Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1960 | International FJ Championship |  Colin Davis | Osca-Fiat | "International Formula Junior".Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1961 | International FJ Championship | Jo Siffert | Lotus-Ford | "International Formula Junior".Motorsport Magazine. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1960 | British (John Davy) | Jim Clark | Lotus 18-Ford | "List of British Formula Three champions". Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1960 | British (Motor Racing) | Jim Clark | Lotus 18-Ford | |
| 1961 | British (John Davy) | Bill Moss | Gemini-Ford | "List of British Formula Three champions". Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1961 |  SCCA National | Harry Carter | Lotus 18 | "Tales from the Tower – Formula Junior".Lime Rock Park. 11 August 2023. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1962 | SCCA National | Timmy Mayer | Cooper T59 | "Tales from the Tower – Formula Junior".Lime Rock Park. 11 August 2023. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1963 | SCCA National | Gaston Andrey | Lotus 22 | "Tales from the Tower – Formula Junior".Lime Rock Park. 11 August 2023. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1964 | SCCA National | Brooks Fryberger | Lotus | "Tales from the Tower – Formula Junior".Lime Rock Park. 11 August 2023. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1962 |  Australian Formula Junior Championship | Frank Matich | Elfin-Ford | "Australian Formula Junior Championship". Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 1963 | Australian Formula Junior Championship | Leo Geoghegan | Lotus 22-Ford | "Australian Formula Junior Championship". Retrieved22 April 2025. |
The FIA Lurani Trophy is the current FIA-sanctioned European historic championship for Formula Junior cars.
| Year | Champion | Car | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–1998 | Tony Thompson | Lotus 27 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 2003 | Erik Justesen | U2 Mk2 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 2010 | John Delane | Lotus 18 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 2015 | Bruno Weibel | Lotus 20 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 2022 | Erik Justesen | U2 Mk2 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
| 2024 | Clive Richards | Lotus 22 | "FIA Lurani Trophy Champions".FJHRA. 27 April 2020. Retrieved22 April 2025. |
