MOTORSPORT – Aspire Formula Motorsport (AFM) hosted a landmark test at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), welcoming two-time Formula One world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and his son Emmo Fittipaldi as part of its expanding single-seater testing programme in the Gulf.
AFM operates as part of Aspire, an Advanced Technology Research Council company, which also runs Abu Dhabi’s Autonomous Racing League (A2RL).
Together, these initiatives reflect a shared focus on performance, innovation, and the advancement of motorsport and mobility technologies in the region.
The test at BIC underlined AFM’s role in delivering professional, structured single-seater running across the GCC, utilising current F1 venues to support driver development with meaningful track time outside of the competitive season.
Running on BIC’s grand prix track layout, the programme brought together two generations of elite driving talent on one of the world’s most technically demanding circuits.
For Emerson Fittipaldi, the test offered an opportunity to experience first-hand the evolution of single-seater performance and motorsport engineering.
Alongside him, Emmo Fittipaldi focused on preparation ahead of his 2026 campaign in Formula Two with AIX Racing.
AFM’s Bahrain test also formed part of a wider programme supporting drivers competing across the international single-seater ladder.
The team has been working closely with MP Motorsport and rising Italian talent Mattia Colnaghi, who is backed by the Red Bull Junior Team.
The programme provides valuable preparation time on F1 circuits that feature prominently on the global calendar, reinforcing the importance of structured testing in modern driver development.
“We are pleased to host AFM’s single-seater testing programme and welcome drivers from across the international racing ladder to Bahrain,” said BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“The circuit is designed to support high-level testing and development, and initiatives like this reinforce Bahrain’s position as a key motorsport hub in the region.”
Emerson Fittipaldi said: “Testing on a modern F1 circuit like Bahrain really highlights how far the cars and the sport have developed. The performance, the systems, and the overall approach are very different, and it’s fascinating to experience that evolution on track.”
Emmo Fittipaldi added: “This kind of out-of-season testing is extremely important. Being able to run at circuits like Bahrain with a professional team gives you a strong foundation going into the season, especially when these tracks are part of the championship calendar.”
Colnaghi commented: “Testing in Bahrain with AFM is a great opportunity. These are circuits you race on at the highest level, so being able to learn the layout, conditions, and work closely with engineers outside of a race weekend in a well-structured environment is incredibly valuable for development.”
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