Al Dhaheri: It was a fantastic way to start the season

The result underlined the 17-year-old’s strong debut in the category, following his recent signing with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Junior Team.

The opening round of the ten-event championship saw 26 drivers from 15 nations take on the 4.2 km Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Al Dhaheri wasted no time in proving his pace. After just two test sessions on 2 May, he delivered a lap time of 1:28.525 in Qualifying B to secure P3 for Race 1. Despite pressure in a tightly fought contest, he managed his tyres well and pushed hard in the closing stages, crossing the line just 0.3 seconds behind second place.

"It was a fantastic way to start the season. Standing on the podium is always special, and I’m proud to raise the UAE flag. I know it’s going to be a tough season, but I’m ready to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices to keep improving and stay competitive at the top," said Al Dhaheri.

Saturday’s qualifying session was disrupted by a red flag and ultimately cancelled, with Race 1’s starting grid set using FP1 results. This dropped Rashid to P12, but he mounted a spirited recovery with a series of strong overtakes, climbing to P6 at the chequered flag.

Sunday’s Q2 brought wet conditions, but Rashid rose to the occasion. He secured his first-ever FRECA pole position and led early in Race 2 with solid pace. However, a late-race incident caused by contact from behind spun him around and denied him another potential podium.

Round 2 at Spa-Francorchamps saw Al Dhaheri maintain his upward trajectory despite facing more misfortune. Across Thursday’s three test sessions, the team focused on qualifying and race simulations using two new tyre sets, dialling in the car for the demands of the Belgian Grand Prix venue.

He showed strong long-run consistency during Friday’s FP2, continuing to build his confidence at one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits. However, contact in Race 2 again hampered his result.

"Pace was great in Spa and my first FRECA pole position was a great achievement. However, despite the weekend’s high potential, luck was not on my side. The contact from the back during Race 2 cost me a podium. Nevertheless, speed and racecraft signal promising results to come as the championship continues," Al Dhaheri reflected.

Rashid’s performances in May generated 70 media articles and a combined PR and advertising value of over half a million dollars, with a social media reach nearing one million. His next outing will be Round 3 of the FRECA championship at Zandvoort, Netherlands, from 6–8 June.

With his historic podium, first pole, and consistent top-tier pace, Rashid Al Dhaheri continues to affirm his place as one of the most exciting prospects in junior single-seater racing.