Rashid Al Dhaheri Secures Historic Formula Regional Middle East Victory At Yas Marina

Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri made history at Yas Marina Circuit by winning Race 3 in the opening round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship Trophy, becoming the first driver from the Middle East and North Africa region to claim victory in any Formula Regional event, and moving into the early lead of the 2026 title battle.

The Race 3 win came from Pole Position, which also marked the first Formula Regional pole for a MENA driver. Al Dhaheri converted the start into a controlled lights-to-flag performance, then celebrated with R-ace GP, partners, fans and family after taking the chequered flag in first place in front of a home crowd in Abu Dhabi.

The opening Trophy weekend featured 32 drivers from 11 teams, all competing under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile oversight. The event began with two qualifying sessions on Saturday, where Al Dhaheri missed pole in Q1 by 0.001 seconds, before securing his first pole of the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Championship Trophy in Q2.

Race 1 on Saturday afternoon saw Al Dhaheri start from the front row and maintain strong pace throughout the distance, finishing second and scoring his first podium of the campaign. Race 2 on Sunday used a reverse-grid format for the top 12 from the first qualifying session, placing Al Dhaheri 11th on the grid, from where a determined drive brought fifth place and more championship points.

The 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Championship Trophy introduced the new Tatuus T-326 chassis, which teams and drivers raced for the first time at Yas Marina Circuit. The car uses a Toyota-powered 1.6-litre engine, new aerodynamic package, revised suspension for improved handling and Pirelli tyres, creating a higher technical challenge and increased performance potential for every entrant.

Two days of pre-weekend practice allowed engineers and drivers to analyse the new car’s behaviour in detail. During Friday afternoon practice, Al Dhaheri adapted quickly to the Tatuus T-326 and set the second-fastest time, offering an early indication of the speed that would later deliver pole position, podium results and the historic Race 3 victory.

Reflecting on the achievement at Yas Marina Circuit, Rashid Al Dhaheri said, "Winning here at Yas Marina Circuit, where it all began for me, in front of my home fans and family - this victory means everything. The hard work and preparation over the winter paid off. I am profoundly grateful to R-ace GP, to my partners, and to my family - this trophy belongs to all of us."

The Formula Regional Middle East Championship Trophy calendar continues at the same venue, with Round 2 scheduled at Yas Marina Circuit from 23rd to 25th January 2026. The series then moves to Dubai Autodrome from 30th January to 1st February, before the season finale at Lusail International Circuit in Qatar between 11th and 13th February.

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Al Dhaheri’s performance across three races at Yas Marina Circuit, combined with pace in qualifying and practice in the new Tatuus T-326, underlines strong early form in the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Championship Trophy, and the upcoming rounds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Lusail will determine whether the opening milestone result becomes the foundation for a sustained title challenge.

With inputs from WAM