FREC, GB3, GB4, F4 Brasil and UCSF headline a packed opening weekend
The 2026 season has come alive with an extremely busy weekend that saw the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, GB3 Championship, GB4 Championship, F4 Brasil and Ultimate Cup Series Hoosier Cup all racing simultaneously.
At the Red Bull Ring, the new Tatuus T-326 made its debut in FREC, marking a true generational shift for the European championship—just as seen in January in the FR Middle East and as will happen in 2027 in the CT-FROT, which last Friday announced it will adopt the T-326 starting next season.
The MSV-GB3-025 also returned to the track with an updated technical package that immediately raised the level of competition during an exciting weekend at Silverstone Circuit, where the GB4 category also shone with a record-breaking entry list.
FIA FORMULA REGIONAL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
FREC opened its new era in Spielberg with the debut of the Tatuus T-326, immediately delivering a tightly packed grid and highly competitive races. Kean Nakamura-Berta (Prema Racing) kicked off the weekend with a victory managed under heavy pressure at the front. Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP) responded in Race 2 with a solid and consistent performance to secure his first win of the season.
From the opening day on Saturday, the new car significantly reduced lap time gaps, making every phase of the race more intense, while the push-to-pass system ensured overtakes and close battles throughout the field.
On Sunday, in Race 3, Reno Francot (CL Motorsport) relied on consistency to claim not only the victory but also the championship lead, ahead of Al Dhaheri and Nakamura-Berta. Alex Ninovic (Rodin Motorsport) and Sebastian Wheldon (MP Motorsport) remained in podium contention throughout the weekend and now trail the leading trio in the standings.
The management of push-to-pass and race strategy made the weekend unpredictable, and the T-326 immediately demonstrated its ability to ensure competitive balance and deliver thrilling races, held during the DTM race weekend at the Red Bull Ring under the organization of FIA and ACI Sport.
Standings
Reno Francot (CL Motorsport) – 43 pts
Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP) – 39 pts
Kean Nakamura-Berta (Prema Racing) – 34 pts
Next Round
Round 2: May 22–24, Circuit Zandvoort
GB3
GB3 returned to Silverstone with an updated technical package that immediately improved performance and race quality, with lap records set by the MSV-GB3-025 in 2025 already beaten from the first sessions of the weekend.
Nikita Bedrin (VRD Racing) was the benchmark of the round, taking two victories built on strong qualifying performances and flawless race management. In Race 3, Jin Nakamura (Hitech) showed great competitiveness and composure, securing victory in a thrilling final-lap battle with Flynn Jackes and Kyuho Lee (both Elite Motorsport).
Close battles, impeccable organization by MotorSport Vision, and races decided at the final attack and last DRS activation confirm GB3 as one of the most exciting categories on the global stage in this 2026 season.
Standings
Nikita Bedrin (VRD Racing) – 76 pts
Maxim Rehm (Rodin Motorsport) – 67 pts
Jin Nakamura (Hitech) – 60 pts
Next Round
Round 2: May 30–31, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
GB4
GB4 also kicked off its season at Silverstone, where the standout debut came from Fred Green (Elite Motorsport), immediately taking two victories. Green controlled both races with strong starts and effective pace management, while Enzo Hallman (Hillspeed) and Jason Smyth (Douglas Motorsport) remained in contention throughout the weekend.
Race 3 was won by Dayton Coulthard (Douglas Motorsport, son of David Coulthard) in a race made even more open and competitive by the reverse grid.
The overall level of the field was very balanced, and the championship, featuring a record 29-car grid, starts with minimal gaps.
Standings
Fred Green (Elite Motorsport) – 70 pts
Enzo Hallman (Hillspeed) – 60 pts
Jason Smyth (Douglas Motorsport) – 59 pts
Next Round
Round 2: May 22–25, Oulton Park Circuit
F4 BRASIL
Like all Tatuus championships that raced over the weekend, F4 Brasil also held its opening round in Interlagos with a highly competitive grid and multiple teams immediately fighting for victories.
Bernardo Gentil (TMG Racing) set the pace from qualifying and remained a key contender, starting the weekend with a second place and ending it with victory in Race 3. Pietro Mesquita (TMG Racing) converted speed into a win in Race 1, while Celo Hahn (TMG Racing) claimed Race 2. Three different winners in three races resulted in a tight and competitive early championship standings.
Also stepping onto the podium during the weekend were Pedro Lins (Starrett Bandeiras Bassani), Enrico Abreu (Cavaleiro Sports), and his teammate Alan Soloviov.
Standings
Bernardo Gentil (TMG Racing) – 49 pts
Pietro Mesquita (TMG Racing) – 39 pts
Nacho Diaz (Starrett Bandeiras Bassani) – 34 pts
Next Round
Round 2: May 15–17, Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna
ULTIMATE CUP SERIES
The Ultimate Cup Series Formula opened its season with total dominance from Stepan Suslov (Winfield Racing), who won all three races of the weekend. Suslov set the pace from the start, managing both race rhythm and tire wear flawlessly.
A perfect weekend for Winfield, which also placed Martin Stoyanov consistently in second position, securing valuable points for the teams’ standings, while Alexis Størksen (Formula Motorsport) finished on the podium twice, confirming himself as the main challenger to the leading group.
Standings
Stepan Suslov (Winfield Racing) – 75 pts
Martin Stoyanov (Winfield Racing) – 54 pts
Alexis Størksen (Formula Motorsport) – 42 pts
Next Round
Round 2: May 28–31, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours




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