F3 serves as a training ground for most young drivers who aspire to F1, because F3 races are held in many regions around the world under identical rules. The Japan F3 Championship exists alongside the Euro F3 Series (based in Germany with races in England, Holland, Spain and France) and the British F3 Championship—all competed under the same rules promulgated by the FIA. There are also special stand-alone events that are part of the so-called F3 World Cup, including the Macau GP and the F3 Masters. These races also conform to the rules established by the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile).

A common platform and rules make it easy for drivers to try their skills at other F3 series and races (drivers must be licensed/qualified when required). From the perspective of the race teams, they can measure drivers using a common set of measures, making it easier to discover promising talent.

Young drivers who yearn for the bright lights of F1 graduate first to F3 from a middle formula (formula car races serving as stepping stones for young drivers; the FCJ in Japan, for example) series.

TDP graduates Kamui Kobayashi and Kazuki Nakajima both became regular drivers on the F1 circuit after competing in the Euro F3 Series.

In F3 competition, every car is run under the exact same conditions. This enables teams evaluate the progress of the drivers without any extraneous factors. A tire manufacturer is predetermined for each series. Engines and chassis manufacturers are selected according to the team’s preference, but finely detailed regulations ensure that there will be no performance differences.

Races are conducted in a manner that takes the youth of the drivers into consideration. For example, the 2010 Japan F3 Championship is scheduled to cover 16 individual races over eight rounds. This way, drivers are able to race twice at each circuit, giving them as much experience as possible. This effectively doubles the experience otherwise gained with only one race per round in a series.
This system is becoming more popular around the world, with the Euro F3 Series, other F3 Championships, and middle formula series adopting this style.