Emirati Racer Rashid Al Dhaheri Dominates Abu Dhabi GP, Concludes F4 Career With Two Wins

Rashid Al Dhaheri, the UAE's premier young racer, recently marked the end of his Formula 4 (F4) journey with outstanding performances during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Competing on his home turf, Al Dhaheri not only clinched two pole positions but also crossed the finish line first in both F4 Formula Trophy races.

Despite a steward's decision that stripped him of his first race victory due to an overtaking manoeuvre, his dominance was undisputed as he prepared to advance to the Formula 3 Regional series.

Preparing for his next challenge, Al Dhaheri will skip the final Formula Trophy race at Yas Marina on December 13-14. He's passing his Prema team car to a new driver to focus on the upcoming Formula 3 Regional series. Yet, he departs the series as the championship leader, boasting a 27-point lead over his closest competitor. This solid lead would have made him the clear favorite to win the title had he continued.

Al Dhaheri's motorsport journey started very close to the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, igniting a passion for racing from a young age. His talent was evident early on when he attended a karting summer camp in Italy, organized by the Italian Karting & Motorsport Federation (ACI-CSAI).

His natural skill and determination quickly set him apart as a rising star in karting. By March 2019, Al Dhaheri had already made history as the first person from both the Middle East and Asia to win the World Series Championship. Over the years, he secured four World Series Championship titles across various karting categories, showcasing his prowess before transitioning to Formula 4 at the minimum required age of 15.

Al Dhaheri expressed his gratitude and excitement about his time racing in F4, especially achieving such notable results in Abu Dhabi, where he began his career in karting. He stated, "I am so pleased for the team and everyone who has supported me over the years, that we could come back to my home circuit and to Abu Dhabi where I started my karting career and produce such great results.

"I was the fastest car throughout the weekend, which I proved by driving from pole to the flag in the second race. I am overjoyed by the incredible support of the fans here in the UAE which gives me additional motivation for my challenging move to Formula 3 Regional, taking the next step on the racing ladder. I will be racing back in the Gulf region in January and will have some nice news in the pocket to share with everyone."

Al Dhaheri's progression to the Formula 3 Regional series marks a significant step in his career, with the Prema Racing Team, his long-time team since beginning his single-seat career, providing his car for the upcoming season. The Formula 3 Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) is entering its fifth season in 2025. As the only FIA-certified series that bridges Formula 4 and Formula 3 on the FIA global pathway, FRECA plays a crucial role for young drivers aiming to ascend the motorsport ladder.