Rashid Al Dhaheri makes history for UAE with maiden Formula Regional win at Red Bull Ring
Strong weekend form signals rising global single-seater contender
DUBAI – Rashid Al Dhaheri has delivered a landmark moment for UAE motorsport, claiming a historic victory in Race 2 of the opening round of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship at Austria’s Red Bull Ring.
The Emirati driver became the first from the UAE to win at this level of international single-seater racing, marking a significant milestone in his rapidly progressing career.
The championship took place from April 24 to 26 in Spielberg, alongside the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), drawing a crowd of over 100,000 fans. Set against the backdrop of one of motorsport’s most iconic venues, the 4.326 km Red Bull Ring provided the stage for a highly competitive and incident-filled race weekend.
Strong start
Al Dhaheri, racing for French outfit R-ace GP in the colours of UAE-based Yas Heat Racing, entered the weekend in strong form. Competing against a grid of 30 drivers from more than 20 nationalities, the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Driver showcased his growing confidence and race craft in the Tatuus Formula Regional car, powered by a 270-horsepower engine.
After topping his qualifying group, he started Race 1 from second position and led several laps before finishing P2, securing an early podium and valuable points in the championship standings. The performance laid the foundation for what would follow in the weekend’s second race.
Race drama
Race 2 proved decisive. Starting from P11 due to the reverse-grid format, Al Dhaheri navigated a chaotic race marked by multiple incidents and safety car deployments. Early collisions involving several drivers led to interruptions, reshaping the order and increasing the strategic demands on the field.
Dion Gowda initially led from the front but was later handed a five-second penalty for a jump start, which ultimately dropped him to sixth in the final classification. The shifting race dynamics created an opening that Al Dhaheri capitalised on with precision.
Demonstrating composure under pressure, he steadily climbed through the pack, executing a key overtaking move at Turn 4 before setting his sights on the leading group. His ability to manage the race amid disruptions proved crucial in maintaining momentum.
Tactical finish
A key feature of the 2026 season, the Push-to-Pass system, played a defining role in the closing stages. Providing an additional 20 horsepower for a total of 100 seconds per race, the system introduced a new layer of strategy. Al Dhaheri conserved his allocation before deploying it effectively in the final laps.
He overtook rivals with calculated precision, moving into the lead and crossing the line in P1 to secure his maiden victory in the championship. Reza Seewooruthun and Alex Ninovic completed the podium positions, although post-race penalties affected the final classification.
Al Dhaheri later described the win as a result of strong teamwork and adjustments following Race 1, while Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme advisor Stéphane Guérin highlighted the performance as “very impressive”.
The championship now heads to Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands from May 21 to 24, where Al Dhaheri will look to build on this breakthrough performance and maintain his upward trajectory in the series.