Formula Winter Series (FWS) will introduce a completely new tournament-style competition format for the 2027 season as the championship looks to improve race quality while creating greater opportunities for rookies and midfield drivers.
The revised structure, announced by GEDLICH Racing, aims to reduce the number of cars competing in each race while simultaneously increasing the total number of race heats across a race weekend. In addition, the championship will introduce a new “Contenders Race” designed specifically to give developing drivers more visibility and a stronger chance to compete for podium finishes and championship points.
Over recent seasons, the Formula Winter Series has established itself as one of Europe’s leading winter development championships for ambitious Formula 4 drivers. Featuring FIA-homologated circuits across Spain and Portugal, the series continues attracting increasingly competitive and international grids each year.
New tournament structure to reduce grid sizes
Under the revised format, each race will now feature a maximum of 28 cars on track. However, despite the smaller race grids, the championship will effectively double the number of race heats available during each event weekend.
The change aims to improve race management, create cleaner competition and provide teams with more racing opportunities across the season.
Every weekend will begin with two qualifying sessions, where drivers compete for positions in the opening pair of preliminary races. The field will split into Group A and Group B, with the fastest competitors from each group racing separately based on their qualifying performances.
Importantly, the championship has also introduced an additional strategic element to the second race format. Drivers who qualify in odd-numbered positions will compete against one another, while even-numbered qualifiers will race separately.
That approach should create more balanced grids while also giving drivers additional opportunities to recover from difficult qualifying sessions.
Masters Race becomes Formula Winter Series weekend showpiece from 2027
The major highlight of the new format will arrive at the conclusion of each race weekend with the introduction of the “Masters Race.”
The Masters Race will feature the top 28 drivers from the opening two preliminary races, with qualification determined by combining results from both contests. The top 14 finishers from each preliminary race will progress into the final showdown.
Consequently, consistency across the entire weekend will become increasingly important for drivers hoping to secure a place in the main event.
Meanwhile, drivers who fail to qualify for the Masters Race will still compete in the newly created “Contenders Race,” which organisers designed specifically to support rookies and midfield competitors.
The dedicated race aims to provide developing drivers with greater television exposure, additional media attention and realistic opportunities to fight for podium positions instead of battling at the back of larger grids.
Revised points system rewards consistency
Alongside the structural changes, the Formula Winter Series will also introduce a completely revised points system for 2027.
Points will now be awarded to drivers finishing between first and 14th place in both preliminary races as well as in the Masters Race itself. Additionally, the top three finishers in the Contenders Race will receive points on a 3-2-1 scale. As a result, developing drivers and newcomers will still have meaningful championship targets even if they narrowly miss qualification for the Masters Race.
Stefan Lehner explained the thinking behind the revised structure and points allocation.
“We believe this is a very fair approach because the Contenders Race effectively represents drivers performing from 15th place downward. Therefore, we are extending the points system from P15 onward and awarding points to the top three finishers.”
The revised format also increases the importance of reliability and consistency across the season. Drivers who regularly finish races and avoid costly retirements should benefit significantly under the new system. At the same time, younger and less experienced competitors gain additional motivation to push for strong results within the Contenders Race field.
Jerez returns for 2027 season
Alongside the sporting changes, the Formula Winter Series also confirmed adjustments to its 2027 calendar. Circuito de Jerez will return to the championship schedule after previously dropping off the calendar. According to organisers, the circuit remains highly popular among teams and drivers because of both its technical layout and favourable winter weather conditions.
“The circuit is very popular with drivers because of its layout and, thanks to its location near the southernmost point of Europe, it offers excellent weather reliability. We are excited to race there again in 2027,” said Lehner.
The 2027 championship will continue featuring five event venues overall. However, MotorLand Aragón will leave the schedule, while Algarve International Circuit, Circuito do Estoril, Circuit Ricardo Tormo and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remain on the calendar.
Registration opens in June for 2026 Formula Winter Series
Registration for the 2027 Formula Winter Series season will officially open on June 1 through GEDLICH Racing.
Teams already registered during the previous campaign will receive priority consideration during the entry process. Nevertheless, organisers confirmed that the expanded race structure should also create additional capacity for new teams wishing to join the championship.
With a revised race format, expanded opportunities for developing drivers and a refreshed calendar, the Formula Winter Series hopes the new structure will further strengthen its reputation as one of Europe’s premier winter training grounds for young single-seater talent.
