Al Dhaheri rookie runner-up in FRMEC, eyes European campaign

This is our monthly update on a driver making his way up to Formula 1, his trials, tribulations and successes, literally from the junior racing trenches. Al Dhaheri, representing the Middle East as the sole regional competitor, now sets his sights on the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) later this year.

Reflecting on his FRMEC experience, the young Emirati driver said: "The 2025 racing season started well. I had a strong start with my Formula Regional car, adapting quickly and enjoying the extra aerodynamics and speed. We had some solid qualifying sessions, and I’m particularly happy with the podiums I secured, especially on home soil, which is always very special to me.

"Naturally, I am highly ambitious and always strive to be the fastest on track. FRMEC provided valuable learning opportunities to prepare for the main event of the year—the Formula Regional European Championship—which I am eagerly looking forward to and have high expectations for."

Al Dhaheri's FRMEC campaign saw him claim four trophies across five rounds, including two second-place finishes, two third-place podiums, and one Rookie P1 victory. The season kicked off at the Dubai Autodrome, where he excelled despite challenging conditions, securing P2 in qualifying and finishing fourth overall in Race 1—earning his first Rookie P1 trophy.

"Prema Racing Team, Mumbai Falcons, and I work very well together. The chemistry just works, and this is so important when you look for hundredths. I made my first F4 victory in Dubai last year, so it is nice to return—this time in a higher category and with a faster car, fighting at the front," he said.

At Yas Marina Circuit, Al Dhaheri continued his strong form with a P5 and P3 in qualifying. However, his weekend was disrupted by technical setbacks, including a suspension failure in Race 3 that forced him to retire from a podium position just minutes before the chequered flag.

Al Dhaheri reported: "Unfortunately, we had a technical issue in Race 3, just four minutes before the finish. That was bitter. Valuable points were lost, but this is racing—when so much technology is involved, technical failures can happen at any time. The most important thing is the learning curve; FRMEC serves as an excellent preparation for FRECA, which starts in Europe in May."

Al Dhaheri wrapped up the season at Lusail Circuit in Qatar, competing on the track for the first time. Despite cold and windy conditions affecting tire performance, he secured a P3 in qualifying and finished P8 in Race 1 after a late drop-off in grip. In Race 2, he led for most of the event but eventually finished P5 due to tire degradation, while Race 3 saw him struggle with worn tires, finishing P9.

The Emirati driver reported: "The unpredictable cold and windy conditions in Qatar added another layer of difficulty, making tyre performance a key factor throughout the weekend. Despite the challenges, we displayed strong racecraft, adaptability, and competitive speed, setting the stage for further progress in the upcoming European rounds."

Beyond his FRMEC performances, Al Dhaheri contributed to cutting-edge autonomous vehicle research in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Technology Innovation Institute (TII). Testing TII’s Super Formula Car at Yas Marina Circuit, he provided crucial telemetry data to support advancements in AI-driven mobility.

"I was honoured when TII called me to assist them with driving their race car at Yas Marina Circuit. Jumping in the SF23 and feeling the extra power was thrilling. And, when the engineer told me that I broke the car record, we were celebrating—also because we won the man-versus-machine battle," he said.

Al Dhaheri will now shift his focus to the upcoming European leg of his 2025 campaign, beginning with FRECA testing in March ahead of the championship’s May start.