FA1 shortens 2014 schedule

The inaugural FA1 open-wheel championship has been shortened, with the Zolder and Paul Ricard double-headers being dropped from its 2014 schedule.

The series, which races with ex-A1GP machinery, has failed to get above a 12-car field at its first four events, and organisers claim the number of races remaining has been reduced to allow more time to focus on 2015.

The "Acceleration 14" package that the FA1 series races as a part of has also dropped its Croatian round at Grobnik, but that event was not set to feature the headline category.

Championship CEO Loek Bodelier said: "Being halfway through our season, we believe that we need to invest more time in preparing the local events. Besides that, we are facing difficulties with finding drivers with sufficient budget.

"Unfortunately, that results in canceling three events. We will use this extra time to prepare 2015 and bring our concept back to European tracks by next year. Our intention to organize 10 events in the first season appears to be too ambitious.

"Even though we now have a team with specialists to organise the events, we realise that extra attention is needed to proceed with our FIA-authorized racing series and music festivals."

With two FA1 rounds remaining, at the Hungaroring and Assen, ex-GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 racer Nigel Melker leads 2011 Formula 2 champion Mirko Bortolotti by one point in the standings.