Renault still working on F3 engine

Renault is pressing on with testing of its Formula 3 engine, although it is unlikely to race in 2014.

The French car giant was due to contest this year's F3 European Championship with Signature Racing, only for the team to pull out on the eve of the season. While Signature is returning to the category next month with Volkswagen power, the ORECA-built Renault engine is now being tested by Ma-Con Motorsport. That German team, which raced in European F3 in 2012 and '13 with VW engines, was linked last winter with Renault power for '14, but has not competed this season.

Two-time Toyota Racing Series champion Nick Cassidy has had two days at the wheel of a Ma-Con Dallara-Renault at Lausitz, while Frenchman Andrea Pizzitola – who like Cassidy is racing in Formula Renault Eurocup this year – has also driven the car.

"I'd never driven an F3 car with a new-spec engine so it's very hard for me to compare," said New Zealander Cassidy, who had two race outings in Euro F3 last year. "But it's a good chance for me to get knowledge and work with another team, and they're doing a very good job with continuing to develop the engine."

Ma-Con is expected to take part in next month's two-day official test at Imola.