Photo: Dutch Photo Agency/AIX
Freddie Slater will make an unexpectedly early FIA Formula 3 race debut in Bahrain next week with AIX Racing.
The opportunity for Slater to contest the race weekend in Sakhir – which is currently a one-off outing – comes after he joined AIX for the three days of in-season testing at the circuit last week.
He had previously tested in the series with Rodin Motorsport at the end of last year but committed to a dual programme of Formula Regional and GB3 for the 2025 season.
He has already finished runner-up in FRegional Middle East ahead of a full European championship campaign with Prema, and has set the pace in several GB3 tests with Hillspeed in preparation for a partial programme there.
“Looking forward to the new exciting challenge of FIA F3,” Slater said.
“I will make the most of this opportunity working with the AIX Racing team at Bahrain. It’s always been a circuit I have wanted to drive, so to get to test and race F3 there will be a massive privilege.”
Slater will drive the car raced by Nikita Bedrin in Melbourne. The Russian driver sits fourth in the championship after two top-six finishes in Australia but turned down an offer to remain in the seat for a second event while he prepares for his own FREC campaign with Sainteloc Racing.
Following the races in Bahrain, AIX has five weeks to find yet another driver to occupy the car for round three of the season at Imola.