2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series


The 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series was the eighth season of the Renault–supported single–seater category.
It was the first season for the new Dallara T12 chassis, which featured a new, V8 engine supplied by British firm Zytek Motorsport. The car also featured a new gearbox developed by Ricardo and a Drag Reduction System similar to the one first used in the 2011 Formula One season. The series' organising committee has also announced that the series' sporting regulations were set to remain unchanged.
Robin Frijns won the championship in his first season of competition, becoming the first driver to win the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in his debut year. Tech 1 Racing won the teams' championship for the fourth time.

Teams and drivers

On 10 October 2011, it was announced that 18 teams had applied to compete in the 2012 season. Twelve of the thirteen teams that competed in 2011 submitted entries, while Mofaz Racing withdrew after failing to acquire the requisite funds to continue in the series. Several new teams, including Arden International, Atech Reid GP, DAMS, Koiranen Motorsport, Max Travin Racing Team – however prior the start of the season, Max Travin Racing Team joined forces with BVM Target as part of a three-year partnership – and Van Amersfoort Racing all submitted entries to join the series. The final list of thirteen teams was published on 17 October 2011, with GP2 Series teams Arden International and DAMS selected to join, while EPIC Racing and Koiranen Motorsport were placed on a reserve list.
TeamDriver nameStatusRounds
Carlin1 Kevin MagnussenAll
Carlin2 Will StevensAll
Fortec Motorsports3 Carlos HuertasAll
Fortec Motorsports4 Robin FrijnsAll
ISR5 Sam BirdAll
ISR6 Jake RosenzweigAll
Tech 1 Racing7 Kevin Korjus1–6
Tech 1 Racing7 Daniel Abt7–9
Tech 1 Racing8 Jules BianchiAll
P1 Motorsport9 Walter GrubmüllerAll
P1 Motorsport10 Daniil MoveAll
Lotus11 Richie Stanaway1–3
Lotus11 César Ramos4–5
Lotus11 Nigel Melker6
Lotus11 Kevin Korjus7–9
Lotus12 Marco SørensenAll
BVM Target15 Giovanni Venturini1–4
BVM Target15 Sergey Sirotkin5
BVM Target15 Daniel Zampieri6
BVM Target15 Tamás Pál Kiss7, 9
BVM Target15 Davide Rigon8
BVM Target16 Nikolay MartsenkoAll
Team RFR17 Mikhail AleshinAll
Team RFR18 Anton Nebylitskiy1–6
Team RFR18 Aaro Vainio7–9
Pons Racing19 Yann CunhaAll
Pons Racing20 Zoël AmbergAll
International Draco Racing21 Nico MüllerAll
International Draco Racing22 André NegrãoAll
Comtec Racing23 Vittorio GhirelliAll
Comtec Racing24 Nick YellolyAll
Arden Caterham25 Alexander RossiAll
Arden Caterham26 Lewis Williamson1–3
Arden Caterham26 António Félix da Costa4–9
DAMS27 Lucas ForestiAll
DAMS28 Arthur PicAll

Driver changes

;Changed teams
;Entering/Re–Entering FR3.5
;Leaving FR3.5
;Mid-season changes
In August 2011, series organisers had announced that the championship was due to visit Russia and Brazil during the 2012 season. The 2012 calendar was announced on 10 October 2011, the day after the end of the 2011 season. Russia was included, but Brazil omitted. Seven of the nine rounds will form meetings of the 2012 World Series by Renault season, with additional rounds in support of the and the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

Championship standings

;Points system
Points are awarded to the top 10 classified finishers.
Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
Points251815121086421

Drivers' Championship

Teams' Championship