Rashid Al Dhaheri: Runner-up in Formula Regional Middle East as Mercedes Junior Status Confirmed

Across 4 intense rounds, the Emirati driver led the championship in 3 of them and established himself as one of the benchmark drivers of the winter campaign. It was a title fight decided in the closing stages of the final race.

The season, however, delivered more than silverware.

It confirmed Al Dhaheri as the most successful MENA driver in Formula Regional Middle East history and reinforced his status as a serious prospect on the international single-seater ladder.

Round 4 at Lusail International Circuit from 10 to 13 February proved decisive .

Technical complications during the Qatar weekend limited preparation time, including issues linked to newly introduced belt components and brake system adjustments, reducing valuable free practice running.

Despite the disruption, Al Dhaheri secured P4 in Q1. A red flag in Q2 halted what could have been a stronger lap while he was improving his sector times.

The races became a test of adaptability and discipline. He finished P6 and P7 in tightly contested conditions and secured the Vice Championship by minimal margins. It was a narrow loss. But the bigger picture tells a positive story.

The defining chapter of the campaign came at Yas Marina Circuit. Across 2 rounds in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhaheri delivered 3 victories, becoming the first and only MENA driver to win races in Formula Regional.

Round 1 set the tone with a dominant win. Round 2 delivered 2 more victories in front of home fans, a performance widely recognised across regional and international media.

Driver Development Advisor Gwen Lagrue said: “Rashid joined us officially in 2025, although we have known him since his early karting days. He was one of the standout rookies in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, regularly surprising us with his performances. That said, he still has areas to refine to fully unlock his considerable talent.

"His start to the 2026 season has been particularly encouraging, with two pole positions, three victories, and finishing as runner-up in the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy. These results give us strong confidence and allow us to build high expectations heading into the 2026 FREC season.”

In a 2026 field regarded as one of the strongest in recent seasons, featuring leading talents from Europe, Asia and the Americas, Al Dhaheri was the only MENA representative competing at the front. His performances have not gone unnoticed.

On 23 February, Mercedes officially confirmed Al Dhaheri’s continuation within the Mercedes Young Driver Program. He remains the only MENA presence within the programme.

Attention now turns to the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, where Al Dhaheri begins his full-season campaign at the end of April.

The series sits directly below FIA Formula 3 on the single-seater ladder and features grids of more than 30 drivers in identical F3 spec machinery powered by 1.8 litre turbocharged engines on Pirelli tyres.

Official tests begin 25 March at Hockenheim, with Round 1 scheduled for 24 to 26 April at the Red Bull Ring.

The curtain-raiser to the full-blown 2026 season may not have delivered the trophy. But it delivered something arguably more important. Al Dhaheri is a title contender.