The winter season is already in full swing with four series racing across the globe, featuring challenging weather conditions and intense battles.
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
The third round of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy was dominated by difficult weather, with intermittent rain and several Safety Car periods that tested the young drivers’ focus and adaptability.
In Race 1, Freddie Slater (M2 Competition) delivered a commanding performance in the wet, building a strong lead early and keeping control until the finish. Jin Nakamura (Hitech) followed in second with a solid and consistent drive, while Kalle Rovanperä (Hitech) claimed third, earning his first-ever podium in single-seaters.
Race 2, run with a reversed grid among the top finishers and still wet track conditions, saw Ugo Ugochukwu (M2 Competition) return to the top step. He managed the race expertly, holding off Ryan Wood (mtec Motorsport), who secured a valuable second place. Cooper Shipman (Kiwi Motorsport) completed the podium with a strong and determined drive.
Race 3 was cancelled due to extreme weather and a prolonged track intervention, reducing the weekend to three points-scoring races.
The final race of the weekend saw Freddie Slater repeat his earlier victory, capitalizing on his speed and ability to read the changing track conditions at the decisive moment. Louis Sharp (mtec Motorsport) finished second, while Jin Nakamura returned to the podium in third.
It was a weekend where rain reshaped the championship battle. Ugochukwu’s win was not enough to preserve a wide margin, while Slater’s double success puts the title fight wide open ahead of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park next week.
Formula Regional Middle East Trophy
The Formula Regional Middle East Trophy delivered a dramatic and significant weekend at Yas Marina, with the series running on the “Corkscrew” layout once again.
In Race 1, Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP) took advantage of a perfect start to secure victory, ahead of Kean Nakamura-Berta (Mumbai Falcons) and Alex Powell (Pinnacle).
Race 2 unfolded in rare wet conditions, forcing teams to make early tyre choices and adapt to the changing track. Alex Ninovic (Rodin Motorsport) emerged victorious, using his wet tyres effectively to recover from a slow start and pass Jan Przyrowski (RPM), who finished second. Maksimilian Popov (Trident Motorsport) completed the podium.
In Race 3, Al Dhaheri returned to the front, controlling the race to take another win, while Kean Nakamura-Berta once again secured second place. Sebastian Wheldon (Mumbai Falcons) rounded out the podium with a strong performance.
The next round is scheduled for January 30 in Dubai.
UAE4
The UAE4 series offered three competitive races, with mixed track conditions testing the young drivers’ balance and strategy.
In Race 1, Oleksandr Bondarev (Mumbai Falcons) controlled the race from the start, taking the win ahead of Andy Consani (R-ace GP) and Scott Kin Lindblom (Hitech).
Race 2 mirrored the FRME weekend, with changing conditions and wet patches that shook up the field. Bader Al Sulaiti (Hitech) took the win, followed by Niccolò Maccagnani (Mumbai Falcons) and Jarrett Clark (Xcel Motorsport).
In Race 3, Bondarev returned to the top step with a clean and error-free performance, while Andy Consani finished second and Scott Kin Lindblom third, repeating the podium of Race 1.
The UAE4 follows the FRME calendar, and the next round will also take place in Dubai on January 30.
Formula Winter Series
The 2026 Formula Winter Series kicked off at Estoril, with variable weather turning the three races into a true test for the young talents.
In Race 1, run under intermittent rain, Dries Van Langendonck (Rodin Motorsport) claimed victory. Alfie Slater (Rodin Motorsport) finished second, while Levi Arn (Jenzer Motorsport) completed the podium in third, both showing strong pace in difficult conditions.
Race 2 was won by Rocco Coronel (Van Amersfoort Racing), with Van Langendonck again on the podium in second. Thomas Bearman (Van Amersfoort Racing) completed the top three.
The weekend concluded with Race 3, where Oleksandr Savinkov (US Racing) took the win. The podium was completed by two female drivers: Chiara Bättig (AS Motorsport Olimpija) in second and Mathilda Paatz (Mathilda Racing) in third.
The Gedlich-run Winter Series will stay in Portugal for the next round at Portimão on February 5, after a brief break.







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