Formula 3 - Bahrain

The FIA Formula 3 Championship returns to Bahrain International Circuit for the second round of its season. This junior single-seater series runs as a support event to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir venue. The championship provides a proving ground for rising talent competing in identical machinery on one of motorsport's most respected circuits.

About the Race Weekend

The Bahrain f3 weekend follows a three-day format. Friday features a 45-minute free practice session followed by a 30-minute qualifying session. The qualifying results set the grid for Sunday's Feature Race. Saturday hosts the Sprint Race, which lasts 40 minutes plus one lap. The grid for this race reverses the top 12 finishers from Friday qualifying. Sunday's Feature Race runs for 45 minutes plus one lap and takes place before the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The Feature Race awards points to the top 10 drivers: 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 point. The Sprint Race also rewards the top 10: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point. Pole position earns an extra two points for the Feature Race. Each race grants one additional point for fastest lap, provided the driver finishes in the top 10.

The Circuit

Bahrain International Circuit sits in the Sakhir desert. The facility measures 5.412 km (3.363 miles) and features 15 turns. German architect Hermann Tilke designed the circuit, which opened on April 4, 2004. The track was the first venue in the Middle East to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The layout combines long straights with tight, technical corners. The circuit includes significant elevation changes. Drivers must focus on precision through corner entry and pace management. Large run-off areas contribute to the circuit's safety record. The FIA has granted the venue a Grade 1 license.

Since 2014, the Bahrain Grand Prix has run as a night race under floodlights. The main grandstand holds 10,500 spectators, with total seating capacity reaching 45,000. The track surface uses graywacke aggregate imported from Shropshire, England. Turn 1 bears the name of Michael Schumacher, who won the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix in 2004. This makes it the only corner on any F1 track named after a driver.

Championship Format

The FIA Formula 3 Championship consists of ten rounds. All rounds support both the FIA Formula 2 Championship and the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The series operates as a one-make championship, which ensures competitive parity among teams. This format highlights driver skill rather than technical advantages.

The Cars and Technical Specifications

All competitors use a Dallara F3 chassis. A naturally aspirated 3.4-liter Mecachrome 6-cylinder engine powers each car, producing 380 HP at 8000 rpm. A Hewland MLI gearbox completes the drivetrain.

Pirelli supplies tires for the championship. Each driver receives four sets of dry-weather tires and two sets of wet-weather tires per event. The Drag Reduction System (DRS) is available in designated zones during practice, qualifying, and races. During races, drivers can use DRS when within a specified distance of the car ahead. All cars must comply with the FIA Formula 3 Technical Regulations approved on December 10, 2025.

Teams and Drivers

The grid for the season features 10 teams fielding 30 drivers. The entry list includes 16 rookies and 14 returning drivers. Campos Racing fields Théophile Naël, Ugo Ugochukwu, and Ernesto Rivera. Trident runs Noah Stromsted, Freddie Slater, and Matteo De Palo. MP Motorsport enters Mattia Colnaghi, Tuukka Taponen, and Alessandro Giusti.

ART Grand Prix competes with Taito Kato, Maciej Gladysz, and Kanato Le. Van Amersfoort Racing fields Hiyu Yamakoshi, Enzo Deligny, and Bruno del Pino. Rodin Motorsport runs Pedro Clerot, Brando Badoer, and Christian Ho. PREMA Racing enters Louis Sharp, James Wharton, and Jose Garfias.

Hitech TGR fields Michael Shin, Fionn McLaughlin, and Jin Nakamura. AIX Racing runs Brad Benavides, Yevan David, and Fernando Barrichello. DAMS Lucas Oil completes the grid with Nicola Lacorte, Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, and Gerrard Xie.

Circuit History

Construction of Bahrain International Circuit began in October 2002. The project was completed in approximately 16 to 18 months at an estimated cost of $150 million USD. The circuit opened new opportunities for motorsport, business, and tourism in the region. The FIA Formula 3 Championship has been a regular support series for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The venue offers multiple track configurations beyond the Grand Prix layout. These include options for endurance racing and drag racing. A shorter "Outer Circuit" was used for the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. The facility features 1,120 palm trees throughout its grounds. During a Grand Prix weekend, over 4,700 staff typically work at the circuit, including 1,800 police and security personnel, 600 track marshals, and 25 doctors. Podium celebrations include Waard, a non-alcoholic rosewater drink that reflects local tradition.