Spielberg, Austria: Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri delivered a historic breakthrough for UAE motorsport by securing a sensational victory in Race 2 of the opening round of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship at the iconic Red Bull Ring, becoming the first Emirati to win at this level of international single‑seater racing.
The championship season ran from 24 to 26 April in Spielberg, Austria, alongside the prestigious Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), attracting a weekend crowd of more than 100,000 fans.
The Red Bull Ring, a regular fixture on the Formula One World Championship calendar, is a 4.326‑kilometre clockwise circuit featuring 10 corners. Its combination of long straights and technical braking zones creates ideal conditions for overtaking and close slipstream battles.
Competing in a fiercely competitive field of 30 drivers representing more than 20 nationalities, Al Dhaheri — a Mercedes‑AMG Formula One Junior Driver — demonstrated exceptional racecraft in the latest‑generation Tatuus Formula Regional car, an advanced carbon‑fibre chassis powered by a 270‑horsepower engine.
This season also introduced a new technical feature, the 'Push‑to‑Pass' system, adding a key strategic dimension to racing. The system provides drivers with approximately 20 additional horsepower for a cumulative total of 100 seconds per race, enabling tactical overtaking opportunities.
Driving for French outfit R‑ace GP in the colours of UAE‑based Yas Heat Racing, Al Dhaheri entered the weekend in impressive form. After topping his qualifying group (Group B), he started Race 1 from second position and delivered a commanding performance, leading the field for several laps before finishing second to secure a podium result and valuable championship points.
However, it was Race 2 that defined the weekend.
Starting from 11th position due to the reverse‑grid format, Al Dhaheri produced a masterclass in race management. Displaying composure, precision, and tactical intelligence, he methodically worked his way through the field. By conserving his Push‑to‑Pass allocation for the decisive closing stages, he unleashed superior pace in the final laps, executing a series of clinical overtakes.
He crossed the chequered flag in first place, sealing a landmark victory and securing his place in history as the first Emirati driver to stand on the top step of the podium in the FIA Formula Regional Championship.
Mercedes‑AMG Formula One Junior Programme advisor Stéphane Guérin praised the drive, saying: “An amazing performance with a lot of moves — really impressive. Honestly, very impressive.”
Reflecting on the weekend, Al Dhaheri said: “After Race 1, I was a bit disappointed, but we had a strong debrief with the team. I told them that if we got everything right, we could still win — and we did. It’s an incredible job by the whole team.”
His performance throughout the opening round highlighted significant progress in racecraft, tactical awareness, and composure under pressure, firmly establishing him as one of the rising talents in global single‑seater racing.
The FIA Formula Regional European Championship continues at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands from 21 to 24 May, where Al Dhaheri will look to build on this historic momentum.