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Formula Middle East 2026 concluded and Round 3 of Formula Winter Series completed: the Tatuus weekend debrief
FRME and UAE4 champions crowned in Lusail, while Valencia delivered a wind-affected weekend.The race weekend held between Lusail and Valencia proved to be heavily influenced by unexpected events and changing circumstances. While UAE4 ran without disruption, both the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy and the Formula Winter Series had to adapt their schedules for different reasons.
Formula Regional Middle East Trophy At Lusail, the debut season of the new Tatuus T-326 came to an end following an intense, last-race title fight between Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP – Yas Heat livery) and Kean Nakamura-Berta (Mumbai Falcons). The weekend was complicated by the need for extraordinary on-site intervention from ATM technicians, who were required to manage an unexpected engine vibration issue. The nature of the operations demanded additional resources, both in terms of spare parts shipped overnight from Italy and extra personnel deployed to support the teams. As a result, sessions originally scheduled for Thursday were postponed to Friday. The combined efforts of ATM’s technical structure, the teams and promoter Top Speed — alongside the rapid activation of additional resources working throughout the night between Thursday and Friday — ensured the event could proceed and conclude in a regular and competitive manner. When track action resumed, the championship battle was decided in dramatic fashion. Kean Nakamura-Berta dominated Friday with two victories, overturning the points deficit and securing the 2025 Formula Regional Middle East Trophy title with a 12-point advantage. The inaugural season of the T-326 therefore came to a close, confirming in race conditions many of the qualities already highlighted during testing — starting with its enhanced safety features, which effectively protected drivers during close battles and several on-track incidents. Strong feedback was also received regarding handling balance, aerodynamic efficiency and the new 15-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli tyres. Development of the T-326 will now continue ahead of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, which begins at the end of April.
UAE4 Championship
The final-round title duel between Mumbai Falcons and R-ace GP was mirrored in UAE4, where Oleksandr Bondarev — a member of the Williams Driver Academy, like Nakamura-Berta — managed to contain Andy Consani’s late charge thanks to finishes of second, seventh and fifth. Two victories in the final three races were not enough for the Frenchman Consani, as a retirement in Race 2 ultimately proved decisive. Bondarev secured the championship by just seven points, lifting the UAE4 trophy after a tightly fought season. Niccolò Maccagnani claimed his second win of the season in Race 2 and finished fourth overall in the standings, behind Kenzo Craigie.
Formula Winter Series
The Formula Winter Series weekend in Valencia was also shaped by unforeseen circumstances, this time due to weather conditions. Strong winds affecting the region and related weather alerts led to the suspension of all Saturday track activity, with the full schedule moved to Sunday. The three races produced three different winners: Dries Van Langendonck (Rodin Motorsport), Aleksander Ruta (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Arjen Kräling (US Racing). Van Langendonck, the Belgian Rodin Motorsport driver and McLaren Junior, added another podium finish to his tally, extending his championship lead to 61 points over Ary Bansal (US Racing). The decisive final phase of the championship now approaches, with the last two rounds scheduled for 5–8 March at MotorLand Aragón and 12–15 March in Barcelona.
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Weekend Preview: Formula Middle East title deciders in Lusail and Formula Winter Series Round 3 in Valencia
The first title for the new Tatuus T-326 and the UAE4 crown will be decided in Qatar, while Formula Winter Series heads to Valencia for another exciting round in a busy Tatuus weekend.Just over a month into the new season, the first major verdicts are already approaching. Following the conclusion of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, attention now shifts to another season finale — this time for the two Formula Middle East categories promoted by Top Speed: the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy (FRME) and the UAE4 Championship.
Meanwhile, the European winter campaign continues with Round 3 of the Formula Winter Series by Gedlich at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo Circuit.
Formula Regional Middle East Trophy The Lusail International Circuit hosts the season finale of the championship that marked the competitive debut of the new Tatuus T-326, the second-generation Formula Regional car.
Heading into the final three races as championship leader is Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP – Yas Heat livery), who built a 24-point advantage over Kean Nakamura-Berta (Mumbai Falcons) thanks to three victories across the opening two rounds at Yas Marina. Still in contention is Alexander Abkhazava (MP Motorsport), winner of the opening race of the season and the first driver ever to take the T-326 to victory.
Track action in Lusail begins early, with testing scheduled for Wednesday, February 11. A busy Thursday will feature free practice, qualifying and Race 1 (18:00 local time / 16:00 CET). The two decisive races that will determine the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Trophy champion will take place on Friday at 11:05 (9:05 CET) and 15:30 local time (13:30 CET).
All qualifying sessions and races will be streamed live on the championship’s official YouTube channel .
UAE4 Championship It is also title-deciding time for the Formula 4-based UAE4 Championship, which shares the Lusail paddock with FRME.
Ukrainian driver Oleksander Bondarev (Mumbai Falcons), winner of four of the nine races held so far, arrives in Qatar with a 24-point advantage over French rival Andy Consani (R-ace GP). Still mathematically in contention — albeit 55 points off the lead — is Mercedes Junior driver Kenzo Craigie (R-ace GP).
The UAE4 schedule mirrors that of FRME, with testing on Wednesday, followed by free practice, qualifying and Race 1 on Thursday (16:45 local time / 14:45 CET). Friday will feature Race 2 at 9:45 and Race 3 at 14:15 local time (two hours ahead of Central European Time).
Both Top Speed-promoted championships will conclude with the official prize-giving ceremony on Friday evening.
All qualifying sessions and races will be broadcast live on the series’ YouTube channel .
Formula Winter Series The successful winter championship promoted by Gedlich also continues its momentum. After two opening rounds in Portugal, the series moves to Spain, with Valencia marking the halfway point of the 2026 Formula Winter Series season.
Dries Van Langendonck (Rodin Motorsport, McLaren Junior) arrives as championship leader, holding a commanding 42-point advantage after just six races, thanks to three victories and one second-place finish. Leading the chasing pack is Ary Bansal (US Racing), 2025 GB4 Champion.
The weekend will open with Friday testing, followed by qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday (14:20). Sunday will host Race 2 at 11:45 and Race 3 at 15:00.
All races will be streamed live on the Winter Series YouTube channel .
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Ugochukwu crowned CT-FROT champion as Formula Middle East battles intensify: the Tatuus weekend debrief
Ugo Ugochukwu becomes the first champion of the season in the CT-FROT, while the fight heats up at the Dubai Autodrome in both FRME and UAE4.The final Formula Regional appearance of the Tatuus T-318 sealed Ugo Ugochukwu ’s title success, while also marking another milestone for the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania and for Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand , organisers of one of the most exciting campaigns in the championship’s more than 20-year history. From New Zealand to the United Arab Emirates, the spotlight remained firmly on Tatuus machinery, with over 70 single-seaters competing across the two Formula Middle East categories promoted by Top Speed at the Dubai Autodrome.
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania The final round of the CT-FROT season took place, as tradition dictates, at Highlands Motorsport Park , in the setting of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix . A true celebration of passion and competition that began on Friday, when Freddie Slater (M2 Motorsport) claimed victory in the rescheduled race from Teretonga (Round 3), reopening the title fight.
Tension dominated every session, especially qualifying. At the end of Q1, Ugo Ugochukwu suffered heavy damage to the front-left suspension. The M2 mechanics completed a remarkable repair in the short break before Q2, allowing the American driver to continue and secure third place behind pole-sitter Jin Nakamura (Hitech TGR) and Ryan Wood (mtec Motorsport) . However, a post-session disqualification excluded Ugochukwu from Q2 and Q3, forcing him to start the New Zealand Grand Prix from 14th on the grid.
The championship leader responded immediately. In Race 1, Ugochukwu claimed a crucial victory ahead of Nakamura and Louis Sharp (mtec) , with Slater finishing fourth. Race 2 went to Kanato Le (Hitech TGR) , followed by James Wharton (HMD with TJ Speed) and teammate Liam Sceats , winner of the 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix. Slater and Ugochukwu finished fifth and seventh respectively, leaving a 26-point gap with only the Grand Prix remaining.
The season’s main event delivered intense battles and multiple Safety Car interventions before Zack Scoular (mtec) secured his third win of the season in the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix, ahead of Nakamura, Kanato Le and Slater .
Ugochukwu’s recovery drive to ninth place proved enough to maintain a 16-point advantage and clinch the CT-FROT 2026 title , bringing an unforgettable season to a close and marking the final Formula Regional chapter for the T-318 (in FT-60 specification).
Formula Regional Middle East Trophy The third round of the FRME unfolded at the Dubai Autodrome , delivering plenty of surprises and reopening the title fight ahead of the Qatar finale.
Three different winners across the three races and seven different drivers on the podium highlighted the competitiveness of the field. Race 1 was won by Taito Kato (ART Grand Prix) , followed by Alexander Abkhazava (MP Motorsport) and Kean Nakamura-Berta (Mumbai Falcons) . The reversed-grid Race 2 saw Salim Hanna (Mumbai Falcons) take victory, ahead of Alex Ninovic (Rodin Motorsport) and Jan Przyrowski (RPM) .
Abkhazava , the first race winner of the new Tatuus T-326 era , went on to secure victory in Race 3, ahead of Nakamura-Berta and Emanuele Olivieri (R-ace) , making his championship debut.
Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace, Yas Heat livery) remains at the top of the standings, but his lead has been reduced to 24 points over Nakamura-Berta , with the decisive final round scheduled at Lusail from 11 to 13 February.
UAE4 The duel continues in UAE4 between Oleksandr Bondarev (Mumbai Falcons) and Andy Consani (R-ace) . Bondarev claimed victory in Race 3—his fourth win of the season—adding a second and a fourth place across the weekend. Consani responded with two third-place finishes and a second, bringing his season tally to seven podiums from nine races.
Kenzo Craigie (R-ace) also closed the gap, scoring his maiden Formula 4 victory in Race 1 and finishing second in Race 3. The reversed-grid race was won by Christian Costoya (Prema ), with Consani second and Iacopo Martinese (PHM) third.
For the young talents of UAE4, the decisive showdown now moves to Lusail , as part of the final Formula Middle East weekend.
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Gallery – Images from the Tatuus T-326 Dynamic Shooting at Yas Marina
Breathtaking images of the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy T-326 cars captured at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.The Formula Regional Middle East Trophy and the iconic Yas Marina Circuit provided the perfect setting for the debut of the new Tatuus T-326, the second-generation Formula Regional single-seater. As per tradition, among the many activities organised by the Top Speed–promoted series, a dedicated dynamic car-to-car photoshoot took place on track. The result is a striking sequence of images showcasing the new Tatuus single-seater in action, set against one of the most spectacular and recognisable circuits in global motorsport.
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The first title of the season in New Zealand and the lights of Dubai light up a new, thrilling Tatuus weekend
The New Zealand Grand Prix crowns the first champion of the season and ends T-318 official Formula Regional story, while UAE4 and FRME head to Dubai for their penultimate roundThe final weekend of January will award the first title of the season for Tatuus single-seaters. The Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy is set to crown its new champion at the end of the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix, one of the most anticipated events on the motorsport calendar in the Southern Hemisphere and the last official Formula Regional race for Tatuus T-318. At the same time, the Formula Middle East campaign continues in the UAE with two categories heading into a decisive phase of their season.
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania As tradition dictates, the CT-FROT promoted by Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand is the first Tatuus championship of the year to reach its conclusion. The exceptionally high level of the grid has produced one of the most competitive editions in recent memory, packed with close battles and intense duels. The title will be decided after the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix — the fourth and final race of the weekend — with six drivers still in contention: Ugo Ugochukwu (M2 Competition), Freddie Slater (M2 Competition), Louis Sharp (mtec Motorsport), Jin Nakamura (Hitech TGR), Ryan Wood (mtec Motorsport) and Kanato Le (Hitech TGR).
All eyes are on the internal M2 Competition showdown between Ugochukwu and Slater, separated by just 18 points heading into the three official races of the final round. This follows an additional race held on Friday at Highlands Motorsport Park, run to make up for the session cancelled a week earlier at Teretonga (Round 3) due to adverse weather conditions.
Slater (250 points) arrives at the title decider on a strong comeback, having claimed three victories in the last four rounds, while Ugochukwu (268 points) defends the advantage built during a stellar opening phase of the season, which saw him step onto the podium in five of the first six races. Leading the chase group is local favourite Louis Sharp, currently third on 234 points.
Saturday will begin with the traditional New Zealand Grand Prix knockout qualifying format (Q1, Q2 and Q3), starting at 10:43 local time (22:43 CET on Friday), followed by Race 1 at 15:50 local time (03:50 CET on Saturday). Sunday will feature Race 2 at 11:50 local time (23:50 CET on Saturday) and the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at 16:33 local time (04:33 CET on Sunday): the last official Formula Regional race for Tatuus T-318 cars.
All qualifying sessions and races will be streamed live on the Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand YouTube channel .
FR Middle East Trophy The FRME leaves Abu Dhabi and heads to Dubai for the third and penultimate round of the debut season of the new Tatuus T-326.
In the UAE capital, Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP, Yas Heat livery) collected three victories and one second place across six races, arriving in Dubai at the top of the championship standings. Chasing him between Dubai and Lusail — which will host the final round on 13–15 February — are a tightly packed group of rivals, led by Kean Nakamura-Berta (Mumbai Falcons, second and 35 points behind) and Alex Powell (Pinnacle, third at 54 points).
The weekend schedule will open with the usual Friday test sessions, before qualifying on Saturday at 08:50 local time (05:50 CET) and Race 1 at 12:35 local time (09:35 CET). On Sunday, Race 2 will start at 08:55 local time (05:55 CET), followed by Race 3 at 12:35 local time (09:35 CET).
Qualifying and races will be streamed live on the championship’s YouTube channel .
UAE4 The companion series to the FRME, both promoted by Top Speed, also moves from Yas Marina to the Dubai Autodrome. Oleksandr Bondarev (Mumbai Falcons) leads the championship standings heading into the weekend, ahead of R-ace GP teammates Andy Consani and Kenzo Craigie.
As in FRME, Friday testing will set the stage for a weekend that officially begins with qualifying on Saturday at 08:00 local time (05:00 CET), followed by Race 1 at 11:30 (08:30 CET). Sunday will feature Race 2 at 08:00 (05:00 CET) and Race 3 at 11:30 (08:30 CET).
Once again, qualifying and races will be broadcast live on the series’ official YouTube channel .
Stories
120 Tatuus single-seaters in NZ, Estoril & Abu Dhabi
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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Tatuus on track with 120 single-seaters across Middle East, Oceania and Winter Series
From the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy to the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, via UAE4 and Formula Winter Series, winter championships are back on trackFormula Regional Middle East Trophy The Formula Regional Middle East Trophy returns to Yas Marina for the second and final round held at the Abu Dhabi venue, ahead of the move to Dubai for Round 3. The weekend will see the new Tatuus T-326 back on track following their competitive debut last week.
The first race is scheduled for Saturday at 14:55 local time. Sunday will feature a double-header, with Race 2 starting at 11:05 and Race 3 at 15:30, both in local time. All races and qualifying sessions will be broadcast live on the championship’s official YouTube channel.
UAE4
The UAE4 championship also heads back to Yas Marina for the second round of the season. A large and highly competitive grid is set to take the start once again, underlining the depth of talent present in the series.
The weekend action begins on Saturday with Race 1 at 13:30 local time. On Sunday, Race 2 will start at 9:45, followed by Race 3 at 14:15. All races and qualifying sessions will be streamed live on the series’ YouTube channel.
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
The CT-FROT heads to Teretonga for the third round of the season, marking the penultimate event of the championship.
Qualifying will take place on Friday, while the four races of the round will be held over the weekend. Saturday’s action begins with Race 1 at 13:02 local time, followed by Race 2 at 14:06. Sunday will host the final two races: Race 3 is scheduled for 12:47, before the weekend concludes with the Spirit of a Nation Trophy at 4:26 local time. All races and qualifying sessions will be streamed live on Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s YouTube channel.
Formula Winter Series
The Formula Winter Series continues its season at the Estoril circuit, with a strong field of 31 drivers set to compete. Unusually cold and wet weather conditions are expected to play a role over the weekend, adding another variable to the on-track action
Race 1 will take place on Saturday at 13:15, while Sunday will feature Race 2 at 11:40 and the final race of the weekend at 15:30. Both Saturday and Sunday will be covered live on the series’ official YouTube channel.
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Tatuus single-seaters on track between New Zealand and Abu Dhabi
Formula Regional and Formula 4 returned to action with a new round of racing held between New Zealand and Abu Dhabi. Tatuus single-seaters once again drew attention through race victories, emerging talents and the debut of a car set to shape the seasonCastrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy The Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy contested its second round of the season at Taupo , with a race programme spread across two days. Ryan Wood (mtec Motorsport) was the main protagonist of the weekend, securing victory in both the first and fourth races. The remaining two races were won by James Wharton (HMD Motorsports) , claiming his first success of the season, and Zack Scoular (mtec Motorsport) , who took the top step of the podium in the final race.
Formula Regional Middle East Trophy The Formula Regional Middle East Trophy got underway at Yas Marina , marking the competitive debut of the new Tatuus T-326 powered by the ATM163T engine . The weekend, which saw local driver Rashid Al Dhaheri and MP Motorsport among the leading protagonists, is covered in detail in the dedicated article.
UAE Formula 4 The UAE Formula 4 championship also opened its season at Yas Marina . Oleksandr Bondarev, making his debut with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited , started the campaign with victory in Race 1, a result that places him at the top of the standings. Race 2 was won by Niccolò Maccagnani , also representing Mumbai Falcons, while Andy Consani (R-ace GP) claimed victory in Race 3 and currently sits second in the drivers’ classification. The next round of the series is scheduled for 23 January, once again at the Abu Dhabi circuit.
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The new Tatuus T-326 makes its competitive debut under the lights of Yas Marina
32 cars on track in the stunning Abu Dhabi setting as a new era of Formula Regional racing begins with the new Tatuus single-seaterThe sun, breathtaking sunsets and iconic night lights of Yas Marina provided the perfect stage for the long-awaited competitive debut of the new Tatuus T-326. Following the rollout of the first prototype on August 1st, 2025, last weekend marked the first official race outing for the new-generation Formula Regional car, with 32 single-seaters (three for each of the 11 teams) battling on the Abu Dhabi circuit.
The race weekend was only the highlight of an intense week of preparation and testing, during which teams completed the very first competitive kilometres with their cars. Throughout the process, they were supported trackside by the Korus group structure, with more than 20 Tatuus and ATM engineers and technicians on site to provide full operational and technical support, including car management and spare parts logistics.
Testing: the first kilometres for the new Formula Regional generation
Tuesday, January 13th marked the true on-track debut of the Tatuus T-326, as all 32 cars began accumulating mileage and allowing teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with the many technical innovations introduced with the new Formula Regional generation.
Lap times immediately highlighted a clear step forward compared to the previous T-318 benchmark, with Taito Kato (ART Grand Prix) setting the fastest time at 1:48.053. Overall, the field showed extremely close gaps , underlining the high level of competitiveness.
Four test sessions were held on Tuesday, followed by four more on Wednesday, January 14th. Thursday was then dedicated to data analysis and preparation ahead of the first official race weekend for the new car.
Free practice and qualifying
Friday’s free practice sessions officially opened the race weekend, with Christian Ho (MP Motorsport) and Alex Powell (Pinnacle) topping the timesheets in the first and second sessions respectively. Powell then confirmed his strong pace during Saturday morning practice, ahead of Kabir Anurag (ART) and Maksimilian Popov (Trident) .
Saturday afternoon saw tension rise with the double qualifying session, which awarded pole positions to Alexander Abkhazava (MP Motorsport) and local hero Rashid Al Dhaheri (Yas Heat – R-ace GP) . Al Dhaheri also secured the fastest overall qualifying time (1:48.148), earning pole position for Race 3 and a front-row start for Race 1 alongside Abkhazava.
The races
Under the warm glow of Saturday’s sunset, the grid formed for the first race of the new Formula Regional era , which got underway at 17:55. Thirty-one minutes later, it was Alexander Abkhazava who crossed the finish line first under the floodlights of Yas Marina, converting pole position into victory while holding off Rashid Al Dhaheri , who finished just 0.443 seconds behind. Completing the podium was the top rookie, Maksimilian Popov (Trident). The trophies were presented by Tatuus President Gianfranco De Bellis .
Sunday’s daytime races proved far more eventful, with multiple incidents leading to Safety Car periods and red flags.
Race 2, featuring a reversed grid, was won by another MP Motorsport driver, Christian Ho . He was joined on the podium by Miguel Costa (RPM) and Alex Ninovic (Rodin Motorsport) .
Race 3 saw Rashid Al Dhaheri complete an almost perfect weekend. After Saturday’s strong performances, the Abu Dhabi-born driver maintained his pace, defended confidently and stayed focused through multiple interruptions to claim victory and take the provisional championship lead — a result that will remain a defining moment for both the young driver and the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy.
Looking ahead
Following a highly successful opening round, attention now turns immediately to preparation for the next event.
The Tatuus T-326 will return to action this weekend (January 23–25) , once again at the Yas Marina Circuit, for Round 2 of the four-round Formula Regional Middle East Trophy 2026.