Rashid Al Dhaheri: Formula Regional wins underline strong Middle East showing

Competing with R-ace GP, Al Dhaheri has been one of the reference drivers since the introduction of the new Formula Regional car, which made its race debut this season. The Middle East championship is used as an early-season benchmark, allowing teams and drivers to establish performance baselines and race execution ahead of later campaigns.

Across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Al Dhaheri has delivered victories, fastest laps, and regular top five finishes, confirming competitive pace in both standard and reverse grid formats.

The opening round at Yas Marina Circuit from January 16 to 18 marked a breakthrough. After strong testing and qualifying at the front, Al Dhaheri secured pole position for Race 3 and converted it into victory, becoming the first driver from the MENA region to win a Formula Regional race.

Earlier in the weekend, he finished P2 in Race 1 after starting from the front row. In Race 2, a reverse grid format placed him P11, from where he recovered to P5. His qualifying performance included a P2 in Qualifying 1, just 0.001 seconds from pole, followed by pole position in Qualifying 2.

The result established him as an early contender in the championship race.

Round 2, also held at Yas Marina Circuit from January 23 to 25, confirmed that form. Al Dhaheri secured two race wins and set a new track record on the Corkscrew configuration with a lap time of 1:40.480.

He led free practice, started on the front row, and took control of the winning races from the opening lap. In Race 1, he led the full 31-car field despite yellow flags and a red flag interruption, setting the fastest lap. He repeated the performance in Race 3, again recording the fastest lap of the race.

A reverse grid Race 2 limited his result, but the overall weekend delivered maximum points relative to his direct rivals.

Round 3 at Dubai Autodrome from January 30 to February 1 produced a more uneven outcome. Al Dhaheri qualified P4 and finished P4 in Race 1. Race 2 saw him start P8 and fight through to P5.

A mistake in Qualifying 2 placed him P10 for Race 3, and an incident at the start dropped him to the back of the field. He recovered to finish P16, closing the weekend with points but losing momentum compared to the Abu Dhabi rounds.

Despite the setback, the opening phase of the season confirmed consistent front-running pace and race-winning potential.

Al Dhaheri continues his campaign with R-ace GP, a team with extensive success in Formula Regional competition, including multiple team and driver titles across European and Middle East championships.

The final round of the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy takes place at Lusail Circuit in Qatar from February 11 to 13, where Al Dhaheri will look to convert early-season pace into a strong championship finish before moving on to the next phase of his 2026 programme.