Gabriele Minì is heading into the second round of the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship with a clear goal: to build on PREMA Racing’s hard work and convert testing pace into strong results on the tricky Bahrain International Circuit.
The 20-year-old Italian racer, part of the Alpine Academy, is preparing for what is expected to be one of the most challenging weekends of the season. After an incomplete outing in Melbourne, where he was unable to participate in the Feature Race, Minì is more motivated than ever to deliver a strong performance in Sakhir.
“The will to race is really high – to finally complete a full weekend,” Minì said in a pre-race media session. “We were very quick in testing, showed strong pace in both qualifying simulations and especially during race runs, so we’re feeling confident coming into Bahrain.”
🔧 Strong Testing Raises Expectations
Minì and PREMA Racing have reason to be hopeful. During pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Minì topped the timesheets with a lap time that demonstrated not only raw speed but also consistency across longer stints. PREMA’s technical crew has worked tirelessly over the off-season to give their drivers a competitive package, and Minì’s test performance showed that their efforts are paying off.
The testing sessions provided valuable data on car balance, tire management, and strategy. More importantly, they allowed Minì to adapt to the characteristics of the PREMA F2 car, something that can be particularly tricky for drivers moving up from FIA Formula 3.
“Testing gave us a solid base,” Minì said. “But now it’s about execution during a race weekend. You don’t get points in testing. We’ve put in a lot of work, now it’s time to show it.”
🌡️ Bahrain: A Physical and Mental Challenge
The Bahrain International Circuit presents a unique challenge in the Formula 2 calendar. Located in the middle of the desert, the track is known for its abrasive asphalt, high track temperatures, and windy conditions. Tire degradation plays a huge role in race strategy, often forcing drivers to carefully manage their rubber while still pushing for position.
Minì is well aware that managing tire wear could be the key to success this weekend.
“It will be important to drive fast but smart,” he explained. “You want to be aggressive, but not kill the tires in the first five laps. Finding that balance is going to be crucial.”
Bahrain also features heavy braking zones and long straights, offering multiple overtaking opportunities. However, that means mistakes can be costly, and qualifying well becomes even more important in such a competitive field.
“In testing, we had strong one-lap pace, so qualifying is something we feel prepared for,” said Minì. “Starting at the front makes a massive difference here.”
📈 Growth Mindset and Constant Improvement
Even though Minì has already shown impressive speed in his debut F2 campaign, the young Italian remains humble and focused on learning. His self-awareness and willingness to improve have become trademarks of his approach to racing.
“There’s always something to improve,” he said. “I’ve been working on myself a lot over the winter – both physically and mentally. I think I’ve grown a lot as a driver since last season. Now I want to translate that growth into consistent results.”
His adaptability is something that PREMA has praised internally. Known for developing young talent, PREMA has nurtured the early careers of top names like Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, and Oscar Piastri. Minì is hoping to be the next in that elite line.
🏎️ From Karting Prodigy to F2 Contender
Minì’s rise through the junior ranks has been fast but steady. After a successful karting career that saw him win the Italian Championship and perform well on the international stage, he moved to single-seaters and quickly made an impression in Formula 4 and then Formula 3.
In 2023, he joined the Alpine Academy, catching the eye of talent scouts and engineers with his raw pace and disciplined racecraft. His 2024 campaign in F3 with Hitech Grand Prix included several standout performances, setting the stage for a well-earned promotion to Formula 2.
“It’s a big step, but I’ve felt ready,” Minì said about moving to F2. “The competition is intense, and the cars are a lot more demanding, but it’s the challenge I’ve been preparing for.”
He made his F2 debut last year in Baku, securing a podium in the Sprint Race — a result that immediately marked him as one to watch.
🔮 Bahrain: A Launchpad for the Season Ahead?
With the F2 calendar still in its early stages, Bahrain could serve as a pivotal moment in Minì’s rookie season. A strong showing here could set the tone for the year, boosting confidence and momentum going into future rounds.
The pressure will be high, but Minì appears calm, composed, and ready to take it in stride.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead. I just want to focus on doing my job, session by session, lap by lap,” he stated. “If we do that, the results will come.”
His PREMA team shares the same focused approach. Engineers and strategists have fine-tuned the car setup based on Bahrain’s track data, aiming to give Minì and his teammate every possible edge in what promises to be a physically demanding and tactically intense race weekend.
📍 All Eyes on Sakhir
As the cars hit the track for free practice, qualifying, and two demanding races this weekend, all eyes will be on how Gabriele Minì handles the pressure. With the right combination of preparation, maturity, and pace, the Italian youngster could be a serious contender in both the Sprint and Feature Races.
For Minì, this weekend is more than just a race — it’s a chance to show that he’s ready to take the next step in his racing career. If he can convert PREMA’s preparation into performance, Bahrain might just be the start of something big.
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