What to watch for in Sakhir

The FIA Formula 2 campaign returns for Round 12 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. We take a look at what you should be watching out for this weekend.

THE TITLE RACE

Callum Ilott made sure the title fight would go to the wire with a strong showing in Round 11 at Sakhir, taking pole for the fifth time this season as well as a sixth podium of the year in the Feature Race. This slashed Mick Schumacher’s lead at the top of the standings to 14 points, down from 22.

The UNI-Virtuosi man confirmed during the week that he will not be graduating to Formula 1 this season, but that doesn’t look to have deterred him in the slightest. In fact, he looks as motivated as ever and will not be letting the title go without a fight.

Schumacher meanwhile looks calm and relaxed ahead of the title fight. He now has the luxury of knowing what his future holds, having been confirmed at HAAS in F1 for 2021, so can focus on his racing. Winning the Championship would be the perfect way to celebrate.

THE FIGHT FOR THE TEAMS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

It may sound like we are repeating ourselves, but the Drivers’ title fight isn’t the only championship going down to the wire. Granted, the battle for the Teams’ Championship isn’t quite as tight going into Round 12, but it’s definitely not been decided. PREMA are looking to follow up the Formula 3 title with a clean sweep and clinch the F2 crown as well. The Italians currently lead Virtuosi by 47.5 points.

That will also give Guanyu Zhou and Robert Shwartzman plenty to play for in the season finale – although we doubt they needed the motivation.

FORMULA 1 DEBUTS

All eyes in Formula 1 may be on George Russell in the Mercedes, but we’ll be watching to see how Jack Aitken performs in the Williams. The 2020 Campos racer is set to make his F1 debut for the British team at Sakhir, taking Russell’s seat.

Aitken already has experience in the FW43 this season, running in Free Practice 1 at Spielberg, and this should prove key as he makes the step-up. There will be a few familiar faces in the paddock for Aitken, who has previously raced against the likes of Russell, Lando Norris, Alex Albon and new teammate Nicholas Latifi – to name just a few.

The British driver hasn’t enjoyed the strongest of seasons in F2 this year, failing to build on a sterling 2019 where he scored three wins. Aitken has the talent to succeed though and will want to impress those in the F1 paddock.

If he can perform, then it could be a defining moment in his young career.

__A DIFFERENT CIRCUIT CONFIGURATION __

Like F1, the top tier of junior motorsport will also be using Bahrain’s outer layout, which is like nothing F2 has ever seen before. It’s nearly 2km shorter than the normal Sakhir circuit and will require an epic 48 laps in the Feature Race and 34 in the Sprint. Robert Shwartzman branded it as “NASCAR style” and the grid are heading into the weekend very much in the dark.

In theory, the fact that there are fewer corners should result in slightly lower tyre wear and could mean that the Pirellis can be taken longer into the race, but given the exciting unpredictability of F2’s 18-inch tyres this year, no one truly knows what to expect.

Strategy has played a key role this season – see the Barcelona and Mugello Feature Races – and could be set to do so again this weekend.

THE FINALE

After 22 races the 2020 F2 season will draw to the close in Sakhir. There have so far been 11 different race winners and 16 unique podium finishers – the latter being an F2 record. Some of those drivers will compete in F2 for the final time, with Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin both confirmed in F1 next season.

A lot of the field will remain out in Bahrain for post-season testing when we will get the first glimpses of the 2021 grid.