Sixteen-year-old Freddie Slater will make his FIA Formula 3 debut with AIX Racing in Bahrain, stepping in for Nikita Bedrin, who has left the series to concentrate on his Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) campaign with Saintéloc Racing. Slater recently secured second place in the 2025 Formula Regional Middle East Championship and had originally planned to compete in FRECA with PREMA Racing while also taking part in select GB3 Championship rounds with Hillspeed. It remains to be seen whether Slater will need to adjust his plans for the 2025 season, as his F3 appearance currently appears to be a one-off.
Slater boasts an impressive record in karting and single-seater racing
Slater comes into F3 with an impressive résumé featuring impressive performances in karting, both at the national and international levels, and in other single-seater championships. His achievements include the 2022 Ginetta Junior Winter Series and 2023 Ginetta Junior Championship, and more recently, the 2024 Formula 4 UAE and Italian F4 Championships. He also finished runner-up in the 2024 Euro 4 Championship.
Slater looking forward to “exciting new challenge” in Bahrain
After such success at lower levels or single-seater racing, Slater will come into F3 hoping to make the most of his new opportunity. While speaking after the announcement of his step up to F3, Slater described the move as “an exciting new challenge” and stated that debuting in Bahrain would be a “massive privilege” for him.
“Looking forward to the new exciting challenge of FIA F3.”
“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 make his competitive debut in F3. However, he already has some experience with the new car after recently taking part in in-season testing with AIX Racing.
