Editing Formula Junior (section)

{{Short description|Former Single-Seater Racing Championship}}
{{Cleanup|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| name              = Formula Junior
| logo              = 
| image-size        = (optional; will default to 250px if left blank)
| caption           = 
| category          = [[Single-seater]]
| country           = Worldwide
| region            = 
| headquarters      = 
| inaugural         = 1958
| folded            = 1963
| classes           = 
| LMP classes       =
| GT classes        =
| drivers           = 
| riders            = 
| teams             = 
| constructors      = [[Brabham]]{{*}}[[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]]{{*}}[[Lotus Cars|Lotus]]{{*}}[[Stanguellini]]
| affiliations      = 
| manufacturers     = 
| engines           = 
| tyres             = 
| tires             =
| current_champions =
| champion driver   = 
| champion codriver = 
| champion rider    = 
| champion team     = 
| manufacturer      = 
| constructor       = 
| tv partners       = 
| website           = <!-- use {{URL}} -->
| current_season    =
}}
[[File:saabformulajunior2.jpg|right|thumb|[[Saab Formula Junior]]]]
[[File:Melkus-Wartburg, Bj 59 - 1978.jpg|right|thumb|[[Melkus]] Formula Junior from DDR]]
[[File:Formel Junior mit DKW-Motor.jpg|right|thumb|[[Björn Sauter|Sauter]] Formula Junior with DKW-Engine]]
[[File:Dolphin Mk 2.jpg|right|thumb|[[John Crosthwaite]]-designed [[Dolphin (constructor)|Dolphin]] Formula Junior with {{convert|997|cc|cid|abbr=on}} [[Ford Anglia#Anglia 105E (1959–1968)|Anglia]] engine.<ref>''Motor Racing'' magazine Jan 1961</ref><ref>Autosport Magazine 14 April 1961.</ref><ref>[http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13671/Dolphin-Formula-Junior-MKI.aspx 1960 Dolphin Formula Junior MKI Images, Information and History]. Conceptcarz.com.</ref><ref>Autocar magazine April 1961.</ref><ref>Car & Driver magazine Aug. 1961.</ref><ref>Santa Barbara Road Races programme Sep. 2/3, 1961.</ref><ref>Peter Roberts. Racing Cars of the World. Reference book. Published 1962 Longacre Press Ltd.</ref><ref>Vintage Motorsport. Sep/Oct 1993.</ref><ref>Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950–1970. Authors-Pace/Brinker. Book published 2004. {{ISBN|0-7603-1783-6}}.</ref><ref>Classic & Sports Car magazine. Feb 2005.</ref>]]

'''Formula Junior''' was an international [[single-seater]] [[auto racing|motor racing]] category that existed between 1958 and 1963. Devised by Italian motorsport promoter Count Giovanni "Johnny" [[Giovanni Lurani|Lurani]], the formula was created as an accessible training ground for young drivers advancing from [[karting]] or amateur competition to professional-level [[open-wheel car|open-wheel racing]]. Regulations required the use of production-based engines and components sourced from small [[passenger car|road cars]], which helped contain costs and encouraged participation by [[privateer]]s and smaller manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://formulajunior.com/ |website=Formula Junior Historic Racing Association |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref>

The category quickly gained traction in [[Europe]] and the [[United States]], evolving from a national class in [[Italy]] to an internationally recognized formula. While early success came from front-engined Italian cars such as those produced by [[Stanguellini]], British constructors including [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]], [[Cooper Car Company|Cooper]], and [[Brabham]] soon rose to prominence through the adoption of lighter, rear-engined designs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Trend of Formula Junior |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1963/30/the-trend-of-formula-junior/ |website=Motorsport Magazine |date=April 1963 |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Formula Junior, Italian Style |url=https://velocetoday.com/formula-junior-italian-style/ |website=VeloceToday |access-date=2025-04-22}}</ref>