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Introducing FIA Formula Regional European Championship
Welcome to the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship, which takes over from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) for the 2026 season onwards.
Benefiting from the full support of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) is organised and promoted by FIA Member Club Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI).
In another significant move, the 2026 season marks the introduction of the second-generational Formula Regional Tatuus T-326, which represents another step in terms of performance and safety.
The 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.
Positioned one step above Formula 4 in the FIA Single-Seater Pyramid, the Formula Regional category provides a launch pad for FIA Formula 3 and beyond with FIA FREC set to become the most competitive and internationally diverse Formula Regional championship currently operating.
To equip the up-and-coming racers with knowledge and experience for the future, five of the eight venues that form the 2026 FIA FREC schedule host rounds of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Ten teams have been successful in securing entries for the 2026 season with each fielding three drivers for a 30-car line-up. They are ART Grand Prix, CL Motorsport, G4 Racing, MP Motorsport, Prema Racing, R-Ace GP, Rodin Motorsport, RPM Motorsport, Trident Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing. All teams use Pirelli tyres.
All drivers will strive to follow in the wheel tracks of previous graduates, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Franco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar.
Where and when?
The 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship takes place over eight weekends as follows: Red Bull Ring, Austria (24-26 April), Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands (22-24 May), Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (29-31 May), Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy (19-21 June), Hungaroring, Hungary (3-5 July), Circuit Paul Ricard, France (17-19 July), Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Italy (4-6 September) and Hockenheim-Ring, Germany (11-13 September). Pre-season tests took place at Hockenheim-Ring, Circuit Paul Ricard and Red Bull Ring.
How it works?
The 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship takes place over eight rounds between April and September. Events consist of either two qualifying sessions and three races or one qualifying session and two races. Track time is further maximised with the scheduling of a free practice session during all events.
Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 30 minutes with two groups created (Group A and Group B) during the day of scrutineering. Each group is permitted 15 minutes of track time. The results of a ballot are used to determine which group of drivers takes part in the first 15 minutes and which group takes part in the final 15 minutes.
The group formations are based on odd and even numbers for the opening event of the season and championship positions thereafter. At events with two qualifying sessions, the group of drivers going first in Qualifying 1 go second in Qualifying 2 and vice versa.
At events with two races, the grid for Race 1 is based on the results of Qualifying with the fastest 12 drivers lining up in reverse order of their Qualifying result for Race 2.
At events with three races, the grid for Race 1 is based on the results of Qualifying 1. Race 2 counts as the reverse-grid race with the fastest 12 drivers lining up in reverse order of their Qualifying 1 result. The Race 3 grid is based on the results of Qualifying 2.
The overall fastest driver out of both groups (Group A and Group B) starts from pole position. Second position goes to the driver achieving the fastest time in the ‘other’ group with third place awarded to the driver who has achieved the second fastest time in the group of the overall fastest driver, and so on. Should two or more drivers set identical times, priority will be given to the driver who set the time first.
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. Reverse grid race: 1st = 10 points; 2nd = 9 points; 3rd = 8 points; 4th = 7 points; 5th = 6 points; 6th = 5 points; 7th = 4 points; 8th = 3 points; 9th = 2 points; 10th = 1 point; fastest lap = 1 point. FIA Driver, Team and Rookie titles will be awarded.
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