Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, will be hosting three days of in-season testing this week for the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship. The tests are scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday in Sakhir.
These in-season sessions are being held between the first and second rounds on both series’ 2025 calendars.
The two Formula 1 feeder championships flagged off their campaigns in Melbourne, Australia earlier this month, and both are set to headline the support race programme in the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025, taking place April 11-13 at BIC. It will be the second round of their respective seasons.
The tests will take place from morning to night with two separatae sessions for each series over the three days, making for running in both daylight conditions and at night under lights. F3 will be first on track from 9.30am to 12noon and then again from 3.15 pm to 5.45 pm. F2’s running will be from 12.30pm to 3pm and then from 6.30pm to 9pm.
There will be no spectators throughout the three days of in-season testing.
F2 is currently in its ninth season and it has produced ready-made talent for F1. In recent years, current F1 stars who have made the step up from F2 are Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Alexander Albon, Yuki Tsunoda, Oscar Piastri, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
For F3, the 2025 season is the start of a brand-new era, with the latest Dallara-built car. It is more closely in line with both F2 and F1 in terms of safety, systems, and performance. On top of that, the new car runs on Aramco’s advanced fuel, which is being developed to the FIA’s 100% sustainable fuel standard.
F2 and F3 will have two races apiece over the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025, with their Sprint Races set for the Saturday and the Feature Races on the Sunday. The support series programme also features the Bahrain-based Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East.
Joshua Durksen of AIX Racing took the victory in the Sprint Race in Melbourne, where the Feature Race was cancelled due to inclement weather.
In F3, Santiago Ramos of Van Amersfoort Racing claimed the chequered flag in the Sprint Race, while Rafael Camara of Trident won the Feature.
All those wishing to be a part of this year’s F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix must act fast if they have yet to secure their tickets. BIC’s Main Grandstand is already completely sold out and there is very limited availability for the circuit’s Turn 1, Beyon, University, and Victory grandstands.
All tickets can be purchased online at bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +973-17450000.
Some hospitality options remain, but with limited availability. The F1 Paddock Club and BIC’s Corporate Lounges have already completely sold out, but fans can purchase tickets to the Champions Club and The Dome by F1 Experiences, both of which offer unique experiences to the race weekend.
For information on the available hospitality or to make a booking, call +973-17451086.
BIC is also offering a number of travel packages for the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 for fans wishing to attend from abroad.
These have been curated in collaboration with Gulf Air Holidays and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority. The packages offer a range of options, including return flights, hotel accommodations, grand prix tickets, and transfers – all at competitive rates.
More information on the travel packages are available on gulfair.com/f1.
The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 features the slogan “The Desert Never Sleeps”. Aside from the motorsport action, fans will also get to enjoy plenty of off-track attractions for the whole family.
The entertainment programme will be headlined by a live performance from international dance music superstar Peggy Gou, who will be taking to the stage on the Saturday night of F1 weekend on 12 April. All those with tickets to the grand prix will be able to enjoy Gou’s concert at no extra cost.
Also as major parts of this year’s entertainment line-up, globally renowned act Circus Extreme is coming to BIC, the fan-favourite Ferris Wheel is back, a Kids Race Festival featuring popular characters such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Popeye Kids, and more will be on hand, as well as spectacular shows and an army of roaming entertainments.
Meanwhile, a special charity auction has been launched by BIC to raise money for the Royal Humanitarian Foundation. With the generosity of many of the F1 teams, BIC has gathered an incredible selection of unique items of F1 memorabilia along with some amazing donations from Gulf Air.
The auction is now live and will continue until race day on 13 April. It can be accessed on mazad.app/c/87, where fans can place your online bids for the items.
For more information on the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2025 or other events and experiences at BIC, visit bahraingp.com, call the BIC Hotline, or follow the circuit’s social media
