BIC to host official pre-season tests

Manama : Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all set to host official pre-season testing over three days for the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

The tests are part of the series’ preparations for the start of the 2018 season. They are scheduled to be held from Wednesday to Friday, all day, at “The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” in Sakhir.

The Bahrain sessions are the second official pre-season tests of Formula 2. The first was in Le Castellet, France at Circuit Paul Ricard earlier this month.

All 10 Formula 2 teams are scheduled to be taking part in Bahrain. Testing will be done in the brand new Formula 2 2018 chassis. Earlier, an initial shakedown took place at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, also in France.

The new Formula 2 season will be flagging off in the kingdom, in support of the Formula 1 2018 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from April 6 to 8.

Formula 2 is widely accepted to be the chief feeder series to Formula 1, with many of its graduates moving on to the pinnacle of motor racing after honing their skills at this level.

There will be two races at the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, including a feature race on the Saturday followed by a sprint race on the Sundayof the event.

The new campaign is set to feature 12 rounds in all, with each meeting running in conjunction with a Formula 1 Grand Prix.

There will be 20 cars on the grid representing 10 teams, including ART Grand Prix, Russian Time, Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing, DAMS, MP Motorsport, Trident, BWT Arden, Campos Vexatec Racing, Carlin and Charouz Racing System.

Last year’s drivers’ champion, Monegasque Charles Leclerc, has since joined Formula 1 team Sauber. Having won with Prema Racing, he continues the tradition of successful Formula 2 drivers moving up to the top of the motorsport ladder. For further information, visit bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17-450000.