2025 F1 Support Races Thread ***Spoilers*** (F2, FIA F3 F1A)

[Sandpit Steve]

Well it’s the start of a new F1 season, so back by popular demand we have the F1 Support Races Thread.

This thread started to avoid spoilers for the support races on the main F1 race threads as many PHers watch the support races later, so it’s politely suggested to keep chat about what’s happening in F2, FIA F3, F1 Academy, and any other support races, on this thread rather than the individual F1 race threads.

A very busy first weekend in Australia, with someone paying the air freight to get F2 and FIA F3 to Melbourne for their first race of the season, as well as the Porsches and the brilliant Aussie tradition that is the V8 Supercars.

Full track schedule for Melbourne.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/when-is...
Note that times on these guides are always local, and Melbourne is GMT+11, so the F2 Feature Race at 11:30 Sunday is 00:30 GMT.

[Piginapoke]

Cheers Steve!

Key season for Arvind Lindblad stepping up to F2 - Red Bull think he’s the real deal.

[Sandpit Steve]

Piginapoke said:

Cheers Steve!

Key season for Arvind Lindblad stepping up to F2 - Red Bull think he’s the real deal.

Yes good call on Lindblad. I was hoping to spend a few hours doing some research on the 2025 F1 undercard, but work got in the way and all of a sudden the season’s starting!

Does anyone know what’s the TV deal for the Supercars this weekend? F1TV don’t appear to be mentioning it.

[Sandpit Steve]

F2 guide to runners and riders, driver interviews, calendar, and regulations.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rQPe4N0BUhQ

FIA F3 guide to runners and riders, driver interviews, calendar, and regulations
https://youtube.com/watch?v=8MFtXJDm_Wc

(F1 channel videos, so won’t embed here).

[Sandpit Steve]

Australia recap:

F2 Sprint Race highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n5nfApsqGQ

F2 Feature Race on Sunday was cancelled due to inclement weather. They tried for an hour to get it away, but in the end ran into scheduling conflicts with the F1 race.

F3 Sprint Race highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj4y1sFlKn0

F3 Feature Race highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRwMdh8KnCg

[Sandpit Steve]

F2 and FIA F3 will be sitting out the next two races in China and Japan, we’ll see them again next month in Bahrain.

This weekend we see the season debut of the young ladies of the F1 Academy, as well as Asian Porsche Supercup.

Full track schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula...

F1A qualifying session starts in 10 minutes, for anyone interested.

Lots of new faces in F1A this year, as there’s a two-year maximum.

Last year’s champion Abbi Pulling has moved on to GB3 for this year, fully funded as her prize for winning F1A last season, and did a very impressive winter test in Formula E, being the top woman and setting a faster time than Jamie Chadwick.

This year’s Academy favourites wil be Doriane Pin and Maya Wurg, who finished on the season podium behind Abbi in 2024.

[Sandpit Steve]

Well Weug and Pin being on the front row wasn’t exactly unexpected, but 16-year-old Alba Larsen from Denmark in 3rd is something of a surprise. There’s a name to watch in the future, mentored by Kevin Magnussen.

[bockaaarck]

Sandpit Steve said:

Well Weug and Pin being on the front row wasn’t exactly unexpected, but 16-year-old Alba Larsen from Denmark in 3rd is something of a surprise. There’s a name to watch in the future, mentored by Kevin Magnussen.

Agreed, Weug and Pin both looking strong, a pretty commanding win for Doriane today. Impressed also by Larson, a really great first weekend for her in F1 Academy. Chloe Chambers and I think Alisha Palmowski both looking like they’ve got race wins in them this season.

Edited by bockaaarck on Monday 24th March 07:37

[Sandpit Steve]

Bahrain full track schedule:

FRIDAY 11th April
FIA Formula 3 Practice Session 10:55 - 11:40
FIA Formula 2 Practice Session 12:05 - 12:50
FORMULA 1 FIRST PRACTICE SESSION 14:30 - 15:30
FIA Formula 3 Qualifying Session 16:00 - 16:30
FIA Formula 2 Qualifying Session 16:55 - 17:25
FORMULA 1 SECOND PRACTICE SESSION 18:00 - 19:00

SATURDAY 12th April
Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East Qualifying Session 12:05 - 12:35
FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race (19 Laps or 40 Mins +1 Lap) 13:15 - 14:00
FORMULA 1 THIRD PRACTICE SESSION 15:30 - 16:30
FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race (23 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) 17:15 - 18:05
FORMULA 1 QUALIFYING SESSION 19:00 - 20:00
Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East First Race (11 Laps or 25 Mins) 20:45 - 21:15

SUNDAY 13th April
Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East Second Race (11 Laps or 25 Mins) 11:45 - 12:15
FIA Formula 3 Feature Race (22 Laps or 45 Mins +1 Lap) 12:55 - 13:45
FIA Formula 2 Feature Race (32 Laps or 60 Mins +1 Lap) 14:25 - 15:30
FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX (57 LAPS OR 120 MINS) 18:00 - 20:00

Note that times are local to Bahrain, GMT+3 (two hours ahead of UK time)
Source: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/formula...

[Sandpit Steve]

Lots of lap times being deleted in F3 qualifying, too easy to run wide and carry speed in a lot of the corners here.

[Sandpit Steve]

F3 sprint race about to start!

[paulguitar]

Sandpit Steve said:

F3 sprint race about to start!

Thanks.

[Sandpit Steve]

paulguitar said:

Sandpit Steve said:

F3 sprint race about to start!

Thanks.

Safety car already, a pretty scrappy first couple of laps with a bunch of minor incidents.

[Sandpit Steve]

Well this is a crazy race!

[Sandpit Steve]

Is Freddie Slater, 16, the next Kimi Antonelli?

Seems to be going a pretty good job here.

[Nova Gyna]

Tsolov (sp?) soaking up the pressure for the last 2 laps. Good stuff

[mattikake]

So much better racing on this track than that pants Melbourne place.

[PhilAsia]

Nova Gyna said:

Tsolov (sp?) soaking up the pressure for the last 2 laps. Good stuff

Tsolov almost parked it, forcing Slater into the clutches of P3.

Slater's positioning throughout the race was pretty much impeccable though. Talent beyond his years.

[Sandpit Steve]

F2 Sprint race about to go off.

[Sandpit Steve]

SC already, just as chaotic as the F3 race start.