The sport’s first ride will be the biggest attraction, but also hitting the track in ‘the home of motorsport in the Middle East’ will be its two main feeder series: the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship which each feature F1 stars from the future.
F2 and F3 will both start their 2023 calendars at the BIC in support of F1. They will ensure non-stop racing over three days of extravaganza in a packed schedule alongside the Bahrain-based Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East.
Before the season starts, F2 and F3 will hold three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 14-16. Drivers from both groups will take their cars to the 5,412km Grand Prix track at the Bahrain Information Center for separate sessions each day.
The tests are crucial for teams and experienced pilots, as it will be the only experience they will have in preparation for their campaigns in 2023.
F2 and F3 will each run two races over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, along with practice and qualifying. Both Sprint Races series will take place on Saturday with feature races to follow on Sunday, while practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday.
The 2023 F2 season is scheduled to feature 14 rounds, which kick off in Bahrain and finish in November in Abu Dhabi.
This one-make mini-series consists of 22 cars matched by 11 international teams, including defending champions MP Motorsport, Carlin, ART Grand Prix, Prema Racing, Hitech Grand Prix, Dams, Virtuosi Racing, PHM Racing by Charouz, Trident, Van Amersfoort Racing and Campos Racing.
F2 is the last rung on the ladder to F1, with many drivers who have graduated from F2 now starring in the top flight. They include Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Mercedes’ George Russell, McLaren’s Lando Norris, Williams’ Alexander Albon, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alfa Romeo’s Zoe Guanio, along with McLaren’s upcoming Oscar Piastri and AlphaTauri’s Nick de Vries.
Meanwhile, F3 is also a one-make class and is the third official “Road to F1” class. The 2023 tournament consists of 10 rounds, starting at BIC and ending in September at Monza.
There are 30 identical cars set up for the grid making up 10 F3 teams, many of whom also compete in F2. The field includes reigning team champions Prema Racing, who will take on Trident, ART Grand Prix Racing, MB Motorsport, Hitec Grand Prix, Van Amersvoort Racing, Carlin, Campus Racing, Jenzer Motorsport and BHM Racing by Charoz.
A number of F2 and F3 talents are young drivers currently with F1 teams, and will be able to showcase their skills to a global audience which includes the F1 community they hope to impress.
All this and more can be enjoyed on the track at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023.
Tickets for this year’s race weekend are selling out fast and those looking to experience the pinnacle of motorsports should purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
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