Part one of the end-of-term double-header, which concludes at Hockenheim from 11-13 September, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari marks the resumption of on-track action following FIA FREC’s six-week summer break.

With six rounds run, the championship chase is tightly poised ahead of the Imola weekend, which features three races.

Briton Kean Nakamura-Berta (Prema Racing) tops the provisional standings by 13 points ahead of American Sebastian Wheldon (MP Motorsport) and UAE’s Rashid Al Dhaheri (R-ace GP), who are equal on 159 points. Al Dhaheri’s Italian team-mate, Emanuele Olivieri, who heads the Rookie classification, is also in overall title contention having scored 152 points to date.

The second tier on the FIA Junior Single-Seater Pyramid, FIA FREC provides the ideal proving ground for drivers with experience in Formula 4 Championships Certified by the FIA aiming to progress to FIA Formula 3 and beyond in the future.

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 progress.

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), 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.

The inaugural FIA FREC season so far
Provisional FIA FREC leader Kean Nakamura-Berta makes the journey to Imola as a three-time winner. That’s after he added a third victory to his tally at Circuit Paul Ricard prior to the summer break to go with his first place in the inaugural FIA FREC race at Red Bull Ring in April and at Autodromo Nazionale Monza in June.

Points rival Sebastian Wheldon 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 came at Red Bull Ring, Monza and Hungaroring, where Yuki Sano also triumphed.

Reno Francot and Maksimilian Popov, plus Rookie contenders Alexandre Munoz and Emanuele Olivieri, 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.

Track time maximised in FIA FREC
There will be no shortage of track time for the FIA FREC drivers at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, previously a long-term fixture on the FIA Formula One World Championship and now the venue for the final round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. With a layout featuring elevation changes, tight chicanes and fast, flowing sections, the circuit has provided a significant challenge since it opened in 1953.

The Imola weekend begins with testing on Thursday 3 September ahead of a 50-minute Free Practice on Friday morning. Qualifying 1 follows on Friday afternoon with drivers split into two groups of 15. Race 1 and Race 2, which uses a partially-reversed grid, are scheduled for Saturday for a duration of 30 minutes plus one lap. Qualifying 2 is next up on Sunday morning when drivers will again be split into two groups of 15, with Race 3 timetable for Sunday afternoon, again for 30 minutes plus one lap. Click HERE to view the full weekend timetable and a reminder that both qualifying sessions and all three races from Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari  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: “Imola represents another important moment during the first season of FIA FREC, an opportunity for our young drivers to race on a track with plenty of history, but one that offers a strong challenge and, therefore, the chance to gain valuable experience.

“Restarting after a long gap, in this case the result of the summer break, means there will be extra focus on reminding the drivers of their responsibilities, namely driving hard but fair by respecting the racing rules.

“For our drivers involved in championship battles, there is a pressure, but a positive one. And for the drivers not quite in a position to challenge for a title this season, this is the chance to continue learning and improving in a highly competitive environment.”

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 4 September
09:55-10:45: Free Practice
15:15-15:30: Qualifying 1 (Group A)
15:35-15:50: Qualifying 1 (Group B)
Saturday 5 September
10:10: Race 1 (30 minutes plus one lap)
16:30: Race 2 (30 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 6 September
08:45-09:00: Qualifying 2 (Group B)
09:05-09:20: Qualifying 2 (Group A)
16:30: Race 3 (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. 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.

Final round
Hockenheim, Germany (11-13 September)

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 six
1 Kean Nakamura-Berta (GBR), Prema Racing, 172
2 Sebastian Wheldon (USA), MP Motorsport, 159
3 Rashid Al Dhaheri (UAE), R-ace GP, 159
4 Emanuele Olivieri (ITA), R-ace GP, 152
5 Reno Francot (NLD), CL Motorsport, 90
6 Alexander Abkhazava (KAZ), MP Motorsport, 69
7 Alex Ninovic (AUS), Rodin Motorsport, 64
8 Zhenrui Chi (ITA), MP Motorsport, 61
9 Salim Hanna (COL), Prema Racing, 59
10 Yuki Sano (JPN), R-ace GP, 55

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

Click HERE for the full provisional standings after round six.

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