Formula 2 back to Bahrain ahead of Round 2! Official F1 Journal FIA Formula 2 preview

Credit: James Sutton

The FIA Formula 2 Championship returns this coming weekend to racing action, for round two of the 2025 season, which is to take place around the Bahrain International Circuit.

Formula 2 is very familiar with the Bahrain International Circuit and the circuit has become a staple to the championship calendar. The track has appeared on the Formula 2 calendar every year since Formula 2's inaugural season in 2017.

It will be the first time that Formula 2 has gone racing since the season opener down under in Melbourne, Australia back in March. While the action was terrific at Albert Park, Formula 2 will still be looking for its first Feature Race of 2025, after significant weather saw the one in Melbourne cancelled.

Formula 2 is not exactly a stranger to the Bahrain International Circuit in recent times, with a three-day test taking place around this circuit between 26-28 March, with the drivers trying to get used to the machinery.

The 22-driver and 11-team 2025 Formula 2 grid will go racing around the Bahrain International Circuit, which is situated in the Sakhir desert. The track itself is made up of 15 corners and is made up of 5.412km.

Around this circuit, there are plenty of overtaking opportunities with three DRS zones which present great chances for passing into turns one, four and 11. There is opportunity for overtaking in both of this weekend's scheduled races.

This coming weekend in Formula 2 the Sprint Race will last 23 laps, whereas, the Feature Race will last 32 laps. In the Feature Race, there will also be a mandatory pit stop to be served during the 32 laps. This is within the Formula 2 regulations should the race be dry - which it is supposed to be.

Formula 2 has a lap record around the Bahrain International Circuit which was set in the first visit to the championship made to the venue - back in 2017. That year's champion and current Scuderia Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc holds the record, with a lap of 1:38.907.

Despite having only one race so far in 2025, the Formula 2 Championship has a championship leader coming into the second round of the season, who is AIX Racing's Paraguayan Joshua Durksen.

Durksen picked up where he left off, after ending the 2024 season with victory, by starting the 2025 season with Sprint Race success. In doing so, Durksen becomes the first Paraguayan to ever lead the Formula 2 Championship, as he beat Leonardo Fornaroli and Luke Browning to victory.

It will be a proud weekend for the Hitech TGR team as during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, their driver lineup will participate for two of the 10 teams in Free Practice 1. Browning and his teammate Dino Beganovic will participate for Williams and Scuderia Ferrari respectively.

Also, former Formula 2 race winners Ayumu Iwasa and Frederik Vesti will also participate for Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. While at Aston Martin, 2022 Formula 2 Champion Felipe Drugovich will get behind the wheel of Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin.

2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship: Round 2 - Bahrain session times

Track Times

• Free Practice 11/04: 12:05-12:50
• Qualifying 11/04: 16:55-17:25
• Sprint Race 12/04: 17:15-18:00
• Feature Race 13/04: 14:25-15:25

UK Times

• Free Practice 11/04: 10:05-10:50
• Qualifying 11/04: 14:55-15:25
• Sprint Race 12/04: 15:15-16:00
• Feature Race 13/04: 12:25-13:25

Brandon Whiteside
Writer - F1 Journal