After seven rounds of on-track learning and development, Emanuele Olivieri (200 points), Sebastian Wheldon (180 points), Kean Nakamura-Berta (175 points) and Rashid Al Dhaheri (165 points) head to the former German Grand Prix venue in contention for the junior single-seater crown. And with 56 points still up for grabs across the Hockenheim weekend, the championship outcome is far from decided.

With FIA Formula 3 and beyond a clear target for FIA FREC drivers in the future, success in the series could aid progression up through the FIA Junior Single-Seater Pyramid, while the prestige of winning an FIA title is significant.

All FIA FREC drivers compete in the second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T 326 on Pirelli tyres. Not only does the level playing field ensure close competition, it also increases the rate that drivers develop.

Organised and promoted by FIA Member Club Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) and having taken over from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) for the 2026 season, FIA FREC enjoys the full support of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide.

All-new for 2026, the Tatuus T 326 has been developed by the Italian constructor in partnership with the FIA. It follows the aerodynamic philosophy deployed in Formula 1 to encourage closer racing, while representing another step in terms of performance and safety. The car features the Race Mode push to pass system, which allows drivers to trigger full engine performance when activated by a button pressed from inside the cockpit. Its introduction is the result of extensive research and development managed by the FIA.

In addition to the FIA FREC Drivers’ title, the FIA FREC Teams’ title will also be decided at Hockenheim. With an advantage of 106 points, R-ace GP holds the initiative ahead of MP Motorsport and Prema Racing in third. Subject to final confirmation, Emanuele Olivieri is the FIA FREC Rookie champion for 2026 following his success in Imola last weekend.

Olivieri and Wheldon

Nakamura-Berta and Al Dhaheri

The inaugural FIA FREC season so far
There have been 10 winners from the 17 FIA FREC races held so far in 2026 with Prema Racing’s Kean Nakamura-Berta becoming the inaugural winner at Red Bull Ring in April. The Briton then added wins at Autodromo Nazionale Monza in June and Circuit Paul Ricard ahead of the summer break in July.

Points rival Sebastian Wheldon (MP Motorsport) was also a winner in southern France having claimed a double triumph at Circuit Zandvoort earlier in the season, while Rashid Al Dhaheri’s trio of victories for R-ace GP came at Red Bull Ring, Monza and Hungaroring, where his team-mate Yuki Sano also triumphed.

Reno Francot (CL Motorsport) and Maksimilian Popov (Trident Motorsport), plus Rookie contenders Alexandre Munoz (ART Grand Prix) and Emanuele Olivieri (R-ace GP), have also climbed to the top step of the podium in 2026, with Munoz winning at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Olivieri taking the win on home soil at Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

Olivieri’s second win in the first of three races at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola promoted him from fourth to first in the provisional standings and secured the FIA FREC Rookie title, subject to final confirmation. Salim Hanna (Prema Racing) and debutant Oleksandr Bondarev (Van Amersfoort Racing) were also victorious in Imola.

Track time maximised in FIA FREC
FIA FREC drivers will get plenty of track time at Hockenheim, host venue of the first FIA FREC pre-season group test in March and the setting of the inaugural season decider.

Following two free practice sessions on the 4.574-kilometre layout on Friday, Qualifying 1 takes place on Saturday morning with drivers split into two groups of 15. Race 1, which is scheduled for a duration of 30 minutes plus one lap, follows on Saturday afternoon.

Qualifying 2 is next up on Sunday morning when drivers will again be split into two groups of 15, with Race 2 on Sunday afternoon again scheduled for 30 minutes plus one lap.

Click HERE to view the full weekend timetable and a reminder that both qualifying sessions and both races from Hockenheim  will be streamed live on YouTube as well as being broadcast by 70 networks across 200 territories worldwide.

FIA Single-Seater Commission President Emanuele Pirro said: “The fact we arrive at Hockenheim for the final round with four drivers in contention for the title is a clear measure of how competitive the inaugural FIA FREC season has been, especially when you consider that we have had 10 winners from the 17 races run so far.

“While some credit goes to the drivers and teams who have worked so hard all year to put on such an incredible show, the performance of the second-generation Tatuus T 326 cannot be overlooked, neither can the FIA’s full involvement in running the series along with Automobile Club d’Italia, which has been fantastic and instrumental to the success of FIA FREC in year one.

“Although Hockenheim is an opportunity for one of four young drivers to write their name in the motor sport history books, all title contenders should be congratulated for what they have achieved in 2026 and how they have developed, not just as drivers but as individuals.

“Of course, with so much at stake we will be reminding them and all other drivers on the grid of their responsibilities in terms of racing hard but fair. I would also remind the drivers not fighting for the title this weekend that they can still finish the season in style."

Who’s in it to win it?
Click HERE for the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship line-up.

FIA FREC round seven at a glance (all timings provisional/subject to change)
Friday 11 September
11:57-12:47: Free Practice 1
17:03-17:53: Free Practice 2
Saturday 12 September
09:10-09:25: Qualifying 1 (Group A)
09:30-09:45: Qualifying 1 (Group B)
13:05: Race 1 (30 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 13 September
09:40-09:55: Qualifying 2 (Group B)
10:00-10:15: Qualifying 2 (Group A)
16:15: Race 2 (30 minutes plus one lap)

How they score?
Race: 1st = 25 points; 2nd = 18 points; 3rd = 15 points; 4th = 12 points; 5th = 10 points; 6th = 8 points; 7th = 6 points; 8th = 4 points; 9th = 2 points; 10th = 1 point. Pole position = 2 points. Fastest lap = 1 point.

Post-season tests
Hockenheim, Germany (15-16 September)
Paul Ricard, France (22-23 September)
Red Bull Ring, Austria (29-30 September)

Provisional FIA FREC standings after round seven
1 Emanuele Olivieri (ITA), R-ace GP, 200 points
2 Sebastian Wheldon (USA), MP Motorsport, 180
3 Kean Nakamura-Berta (GBR), Prema Racing, 175
4 Rashid Al Dhaheri (UAE), R-ace GP, 165
5 Reno Francot (NLD), CL Motorsport, 123
6 Alexander Abkhazava (KAZ), MP Motorsport, 85
7 Salim Hanna (COL), Prema Racing, 74
8 Alex Ninovic (AUS), Rodin Motorsport, 63
9 Zhenrui Chi (ITA), MP Motorsport, 61
10 Alexandre Munoz (FRA), ART Grand Prix, 56

FIA FREC winners so far in 2026
Red Bull Ring Race 1: Kean Nakamura-Berta
Red Bull Ring Race 2: Rashid Al Dhaheri
Red Bull Ring Race 3: Reno Francot
Circuit Zandvoort Race 1: Sebastian Wheldon
Circuit Zandvoort Race 2: Sebastian Wheldon
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Race 1: Alexandre Munoz
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Race 2: Maksimilian Popov
Autodromo Nazionale Monza Race 1: Kean Nakamura-Berta
Autodromo Nazionale Monza Race 2: Rashid Al Dhaheri
Autodromo Nazionale Monza Race 3: Emanuele Olivieri
Hungaroring Race 1: Yuki Sano
Hungaroring Race 2: Rashid Al Dhaheri
Circuit Paul Ricard Race 1: Kean Nakamura-Berta
Circuit Paul Ricard Race 2: Sebastian Wheldon
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race 1: Emanuele Olivieri
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race 2: Salim Hanna
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race 3: Oleksandr Bondarev

Click HERE for the full provisional standings after round seven.

Click HERE for more on the FIA Formula Regional European Championship.

Visit FIA.com for FIA FREC qualifying and race reports.