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Nakamura-Berta Leads Tightly Poised Formula Regional Title Chase Into Imola
Four drivers sit within 20 points as the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship returns from the summer break for three decisive races at Imola.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-09-02T10:00:00.000Z - 3 min read
The fight for the inaugural FIA Formula Regional European Championship resumes at Imola this weekend, thrusting four title contenders into an intense end-of-season double-header. Following a six-week summer hiatus, the junior category heads to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari for its penultimate round, with three races across Saturday and Sunday set to alter the shape of the standings before the paddock travels directly to Hockenheim for the finale.
Holding a slender 13-point advantage, Prema Racing’s Kean Nakamura-Berta enters round seven atop the provisional standings on 172 points, having collected victories at the Red Bull Ring, Monza and Circuit Paul Ricard. Behind the British racer, the chase remains exceptionally congested. American Sebastian Wheldon of MP Motorsport and Emirati driver Rashid Al Dhaheri of R-ace GP sit locked on 159 points apiece, while top rookie Emanuele Olivieri trails by just 20 points on 152.
That tight margin at the top reflects a season that has produced varied winners without yielding an outright dominant package. Wheldon arrives in Italy having secured a double victory at Zandvoort alongside a further win at Paul Ricard, whereas Al Dhaheri claimed triumphs in Austria, Monza and the Hungaroring. Olivieri, who took victory on home soil at Monza, remains within striking range of both the overall crown and the rookie title, while race victories earlier this year for Reno Francot, Alexandre Munoz, Maksimilian Popov and Yuki Sano illustrate the depth of the grid.
Central to that parity is the second-generation Formula Regional machinery introduced for this 2026 campaign. All competitors run identical Tatuus T 326 chassis fitted with Pirelli tyres, developed by the Italian constructor in partnership with the governing body. Built around aerodynamic concepts adapted from Formula 1 to promote closer wheel-to-wheel racing, the car also integrates an FIA-developed Race Mode push-to-pass system, enabling drivers to deploy full engine performance via a cockpit button.
Positioned as the second tier on the FIA junior single-seater ladder, the series serves as the bridge between national Formula 4 championships and FIA Formula 3. Promoted by the Automobile Club d’Italia after succeeding the Alpine-backed FRECA platform, the championship carries full FIA backing as a standardised proving ground. For the governing body, ensuring drivers absorb operational discipline in a controlled environment matters as much as raw lap time.
Track mileage across the Imola weekend will be substantial, beginning with Thursday testing before official practice opens on Friday morning. Qualifying follows on Friday afternoon, splitting the entry into two 15-car groups to set the grid for Saturday’s opening race and a partially reversed-grid second encounter. Sunday morning brings a second qualifying split ahead of the third 30-minute race, presenting drivers with a physical layout defined by elevation changes, sharp chicanes and high-speed commitment.
Addressing the restart, FIA Single-Seater Commission President Emanuele Pirro stressed the dual demands facing the field, noting that the long summer layoff requires drivers to respect driving standards while handling title tension. Pirro framed the impending title showdown as constructive pressure for those contending at the front, while urging those further back to capitalise on the high-level environment before the season wraps up in Germany next week.