The FIA and ACI are proud to announce the creation of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, a brand-new, FIA-supported single-seater competition set to commence in 2026. This marks a crucial next step in the FIA’s structured talent development pathway.

The implementation of a new car in 2026 – the FR Gen2 – will mark a significant evolution in the junior single-seater landscape, signalling a strategic moment for redefining the Formula Regional level in Europe.

The championship will be organised with the full support of the FIA and in collaboration with ACI, the Italian ASN, which has also worked with Alpine on the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). The successful partnership contributed significantly to the series’ growth over recent years. This collaboration will provide a solid foundation for achieving sporting excellence, ensuring technical equity, and fostering long-term growth. Both parties have agreed on the key terms through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding and will be finalising the long-form agreement and the strategic plan in the near future.

Since its inception in 2019 under the guidance of ACI and Alpine, the championship, certified by the FIA, has established itself as one of the most competitive and international single-seater platforms within the FIA’s global development structure. Over the past seasons, more than 160 drivers representing 44 nationalities and 22 teams have competed in the series. The category has become a proven stepping stone in the FIA single-seater pyramid, with graduates including Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Franco Colapinto.

The new championship will feature the Gen 2 Formula Regional chassis and a new tyre specification from Pirelli, ensuring the very latest safety innovations, technical modernity, and better alignment with FIA global standards. This will modernise the Formula Regional category and reinforce its position as a true international benchmark in driver development.

The transition from FRECA in 2025 to the new FIA-supported format in 2026 will mean a complete reset of the technical and sporting package, creating a platform aligned with the demands of today’s market and tomorrow’s talent.

This initiative is also fully aligned with the FIA’s mission to ensure a clear, accessible, and effective path for young drivers, from national FIA Formula 4 championships to FIA Formula Regional Championships, and ultimately to FIA Formula 3.

The other Formula Regional, Certified by FIA Championships across the Americas and Japan, and the Certified by FIA Trophies in Middle East and Oceania will continue to provide an essential proving ground for talented drivers from those regions, with each having its own roadmap towards the second generation of machinery. They remain a cost-efficient route for the most talented racers from across the globe to plot their course towards full FIA-run competition.

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, commented:
“This project will create a stronger, better-supported environment for young drivers. With the full support of the FIA regions and a vision of clear progression, we are taking an important step in future-proofing the junior single-seater pyramid. Ensuring accessibility, international credibility, and cost efficiency is at the core of this initiative.”
 

General Tullio Del Sette, Special Commissioner of the Automobile Club d'Italia, commented:
“With the official entry of the Formula Regional European Championship into the FIA series, the Italian Federation reaffirms its leading role in the development of international motorsport. This is a prestigious recognition of the work carried out by ACI and the effectiveness of our organizational model. This step up in category enhances the value of the series on a global scale, offering drivers a technical and sporting context comparable to that of higher-level championships, while also contributing to the development of future champions.”