Spielberg: Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri delivered a historic breakthrough for UAE motorsport, securing a victory in Race 2 of the opening round of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship at the Red Bull Ring. This win marks him as the first Emirati to triumph at this level of international single-seater racing.
According to Emirates News Agency, the championship commenced from 24th to 26th April in Spielberg, Austria, alongside the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), drawing a crowd of over 100,000 fans. The Red Bull Ring, a prominent fixture of the Formula One World Championship calendar, is a 4,326 km clockwise circuit featuring 10 corners, combining long straights with technical braking zones, ideally suited for overtaking and slipstream battles.
Competing against a grid of 30 drivers from over 20 nationalities, Al Dhaheri, a Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Driver, demonstrated exceptional race craft in the Tatuus Formula Regional car, equipped with a 270-horsepower engine. The 'Push-to-Pass' system, a new technical feature introduced this season, provided drivers with an additional 20 horsepower for a limited 100 seconds per race, enabling strategic overtaking.
Al Dhaheri participated with his French team R-ace GP car in the UAE-based Yas Heat Racing colors. After leading his qualifying group, he started Race 1 from P2, finishing in second place, securing a podium finish and valuable championship points.
Race 2 defined the weekend, as Al Dhaheri started from P11 due to the reverse-grid format. He executed a masterclass in race management, climbing through the field with composure and precision. Conserving his Push-to-Pass allocation for the final laps, he overtook his rivals efficiently, crossing the chequered flag in P1 and making history as the first Emirati driver to win in the FIA Formula Regional Championship.
Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme Advisor St©phane Gu©rin commended the performance as impressive. Al Dhaheri expressed his satisfaction, acknowledging the team's efforts and his determination after Race 1. His performance underscored significant progression in race craft and tactical awareness, establishing him as a rising talent in global single-seater racing.
The championship will continue at the Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands from 21st to 24th May, where Al Dhaheri will aim to build on this historic momentum.