Taking over from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (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.
Organised and promoted by FIA Member Club Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), the inaugural FIA FREC schedule covers eight weekends from April to September with five FIA Formula One World Championship venues included.
Positioned one step above Formula 4 in the FIA Single-Seater Pyramid, FIA FREC caters exclusively for the second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T-326. All-new for 2026, 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. Its design also represents another step in terms of performance and safety.
Ten teams have been successful in securing entries for the 2026 season with each fielding three up-and-coming racers 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.
FIA Single-Seater Commission President Emanuele Pirro said: “A European championship has historically been the place where emerging talents from all over the world come and compete all together for the first time to showcase their potential on circuits that will really test their skills. I’m sure it is here we will start to see the stars of the future rising to the top once again and we are looking forward for the season to begin. Whether they are stepping up from Formula 4 or switching from another Formula Regional championship, we expect FIA FREC to be the final launching path before the global F3, F2 and, ultimately, F1 championships await the very best drivers.
“The second-generation Formula Regional car hits all the objectives we have set for this level of single-seater racing. The car will be more raceable with new aerodynamics and longer-life tyres, whilst also being faster and safer – this is an important achievement thanks to the work of the FIA. I’d also like to thank ACI and Tatuus for their commitment to this European championship – we are making this platform essential for any young racing drivers looking to progress to the next step on the FIA Single-Seater Pyramid.”
Introducing Race Mode
Drivers contesting the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship in 2026 will be able to utilise Race Mode in their pursuit of on-track success.
The new Race Mode push to pass system allows drivers to trigger full engine performance for a period of time when activated by a button pressed from inside the cockpit.
Its introduction for the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship season is the result of extensive research and development managed by the FIA.
Experts from the FIA’s Technical Department oversaw simulations of Race Mode in conjunction with the FIA’s Formula 1 aerodynamicists, while Tatuus, constructor of the second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T-326, and engine supplier, ATM, managed the software upgrading and validation process.
The introduction of Race Mode also follows a successful test at Monza in Italy in mid-March and further running during the second day of the official FIA FREC test at Circuit Paul Ricard in France, which ended on 31 March.
Drivers were then able to use the final specification of the FIA FREC Race Mode system during the concluding pre-season test at Red Bull Ring from 4-5 April.
The use of Race Mode in FIA FREC comes on the back of an update to the championship’s Sporting Regulations.
Race Mode will be used to enhance strategy and provide even more overtaking opportunities in all FIA FREC races with drivers benefitting from the full power of the Tatuus T-326’s new three-cylinder ATM163T engine, developed by Autotecnica Motori and derived from the Toyota G16E unit.
FIA FREC teams can simulate Race Mode during free practice and test sessions by setting the power output. However, Race Mode won’t be engaged for qualifying.
Where and when?
The 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship calendar takes place over eight weekends as follows: Red Bull Ring, Austria (24-26 April), Zandvoort, Netherlands (22-24 May), Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium (29-31 May), Monza, Italy (19-21 June), Hungaroring, Hungary (3-5 July), Paul Ricard, France (17-19 July), Imola, Italy (4-6 September) and Hockenheim, Germany (11-13 September). Pre-season tests took place at Hockenheim, Paul Ricard and Red Bull Ring.
Who’s in it to win it?
Click HERE for the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship line-up.
FIA FREC round one at a glance
Friday 24 April
10:25-11:15: Free Practice
17:20-17:55: Qualifying 1
Saturday 25 April
10:25-10:55: Race 1 (30 minutes plus one lap)
16:40-17:10: Race 2 (30 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 26 April
08:45-09:20: Qualifying 2
16:40-17:10: Race 3 (30 minutes plus one lap)
How it works?
The fastest 12 drivers in Qualifying 1 will start Race 1 in reverse order with cars qualifying from 13th position downwards lining up according to their position in Qualifying 1. The grid for Race 2 will be based on the results of Race 1. The grid for Race 3 will be based on the results of Qualifying 2. For events with two races, one qualifying session will be held with the fastest 12 drivers in qualifying starting Race 1 in reverse order and the cars qualifying from 13th position downwards lining up according to their qualifying position. The grid for Race 2 will be based on the results of Race 1. Qualifying sessions will be scheduled for 30 minutes with two groups created (Group A and Group B) during the day of scrutineering and each group permitted 15 minutes of track time. The results of a ballot will be used to determine which group of drivers takes part in the first 15 minutes and which group takes part in the final 15 minutes. At events with two qualifying sessions, the group of drivers going first in Qualifying 1 will go second in Qualifying 2 and vice versa. The group formations will be based on odd and even numbers for the opening event of the season and championship positions thereafter.
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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