It was a standout performance from the R-ace GP driver, who also set the fastest lap and expertly managed four safety car restarts.

MP Motorsport’s Sebastian Wheldon continued his championship push by finishing second. The American will start Race 2 at 16:30 local time live on YouTube three points behind his Italian rival.

Alexandre Munoz completed the podium for ART Grand Prix, earning his second top-three finish of 2026 following his victory at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in May.

Olivieri’s team-mate Rashid Al Dhaheri, meanwhile, was eliminated on the opening lap following contact with Tomass Štolcermanis. However, he remains in contention for the title, as does Prema Racing’s Kean Nakamura-Berta, who finished outside the points in 15th after a grid penalty was applied post-qualifying.

After claiming a maiden FIA FREC victory at Monza in June, Olivieri’s latest triumph came as the championship resumed following the six-week summer break.

“The main objective was to make a clean start because we knew our pace was very strong and the car was really enjoyable to drive,” Olivieri said. “However, I wasn’t expecting so many safety car periods, and that made the race very challenging. Wheldon was very quick on the straights. Although I think my pace through the infield was stronger, it was still difficult to keep him behind. Every restart was challenging, but I managed them well. I’m extremely happy with the performance and couldn’t have asked for anything more. We have secured the Rookie title, and we are leading the championship for now, but it is not over yet. There are still plenty of points available, and I’m already looking ahead to Race 2.”

Wheldon added: “Yesterday, we were originally due to start fifth after qualifying, but we benefited from another driver’s disqualification, which promoted us to second. I knew I had to maximise the points available for the championship because my title rivals were starting further back. It was a solid race, and now we have to keep improving and try to go one step higher.”

Race 2, which will feature a reverse grid for the top 12 from yesterday’s Qualifying 1, is due to begin at 16:30 local time. It will be broadcast in more than 200 territories and streamed live on the championship’s official YouTube channel. Click HERE for results.

FIA FREC explained
Taking over from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) for 2026, 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.

Positioned one step above Formula 4 in the FIA Single-Seater Pyramid, FIA FREC, which is organised by FIA Member Club Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), caters exclusively for the second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T 326. All-new for 2026, the Pirelli-equipped car has been developed by the Italian constructor in partnership with the FIA and follows the aerodynamic philosophy deployed in Formula 1 to encourage closer racing. Its design also represents another step in terms of performance and safety.

The second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T 326 features the new Race Mode push to pass system, which allows drivers to trigger full engine performance for a period of time when activated by a button pressed from inside the cockpit. The amount of time depends on how many times the button is pressed but each driver has a total of 100 seconds available per race. Race Mode’s introduction for the 2026 FIA FREC season is the result of extensive research and development managed by the FIA.

*Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA