American Wheldon, 17, became the fourth different winner during the FIA FREC’s inaugural season – and the first driver to triumph twice during the same weekend – a performance that puts him on top of the provisional standings after the opening two rounds.
From Zandvoort in the Netherlands, the 10 three-car FIA FREC teams have made the 275-kilometre journey south to Spa in Belgium for the third of eight rounds.
Measuring 7.004 kilometres in length, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the FIA FREC calendar for 2026. It’s also one of five active FIA Formula One World Championship venues included on the season schedule to provide important experience as drivers progress up the FIA Single-Seater Pyramid.
Following two test sessions tomorrow (Thursday), Friday’s timetable features a 50-minute Free Practice from 09:40 local time, followed by Qualifying 1 at 14:45. Race 1 is scheduled for 10:05 on Saturday ahead of Race 2 from 14:16 when the fastest 12 drivers from Qualifying 1 will line up in reverse order. Qualifying 2 begins at 09:55 on Sunday with Race 3 following at 14:20. All races run for 30 minutes plus one lap. Drivers will once again be split into two groups of 15, Group A and Group B based on odd and even numbers according to championship positions.
All three FIA FREC races from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will be streamed live on YouTube as well as being broadcast by 70 networks across 200 territories worldwide.
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) for 2026, 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.
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 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.
FIA Single-Seater Commission President Emanuele Pirro said: “I’m really pleased with what has been achieved during the first two weekends. The championship is operating at a very high level, with very good car preparation and professional presentation by the teams. When you walk into the paddock you get a really strong impression. We’ve had confirmation that Race Mode is a very good asset and the benefits of being a full FIA championship are clear to see. It’s important the paddock believes and feels we, as the FIA, are there to support them and help them, and to improve what we are all doing. We are not here to just enforce regulations, we want to establish good relationships and develop a dual information flow, listening to their needs and offering a product that is in line with their expectations. I am very pleased with the progress after two events.
“The opening event of the season at Spielberg was too eventful in terms of cars not finishing, races so we held an extra briefing on the Friday at Zandvoort to make the drivers realise this is not the way to do and that they can and should do much better. The way they raced at Zandvoort was much better and much more professional, so I’m really pleased with that.
“Looking ahead to Spa, the biggest challenge is to make sure the drivers don’t wait for each other in qualifying to have a good slipstream, as this can create a traffic jam prior to starting the lap. I really want to make sure this is not happening, so my main focus will be to tell the drivers exactly what they should do, but making sure what we ask is achievable and enforceable.”
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 three at a glance
Friday 29 May
09:40-10:30: Free Practice
14:45-15:00: Qualifying 1 (Group A)
15:05-15:20: Qualifying 2 (Group B)
Saturday 30 May
10:05: Race 1 (30 minutes plus one lap)
14:16: Race 2 (30 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 31 May
09:55-10:10: Qualifying 2 (Group B)
10:15-10:30: Qualifying 2 (Group A)
14:20: 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.
Provisional FIA Formula Regional European Championship standings after round two
1 Sebastian Wheldon (USA), MP Motorsport, 82 points
2 Reno Francot (NLD), CL Motorsport, 70
3 Rashid Al-Dhaheri (UAE), R-ace GP, 60
4 Kean Nakamura-Berta (GBR), Prema Racing, 55
5 Zhenrui Chi (ITA), MP Motorsport, 32
6 Salim Hanna (COL), Prema Racing, 31
7 Emanuele Olivieri (ITA), R-ace GP, 28
8 Alex Ninovic (AUS), Rodin Motorsport, 27
9 Dion Gowda (IND), Van Amersfoort Racing, 19
10 Alexander Abkhazava (KAZ), MP Motorsport 14
Click HERE for the full provisional standings after round two.
Click HERE for more on the FIA Formula Regional European Championship.
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