Emirati racer is in top spot going into F1 meeting at the Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit’
Rashid Al Dhaheri, after posting a win and two second places in the Dubai opening round of the new look Formula Trophy series, is leading the championship heading into the second round which is part of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix programme this weekend (6-8th December 2024).
The UAE’s leading driver, in his Prema Mumbai Falcons team car, is set on extending his Championship lead as he returns to his home track. Commenting ahead of the GP meeting, Al Dhaheri said: “It is amazing to be back in the UAE racing in front of my home crowd. After another successful year of competing around Europe in the Italian F4 and Euro F4 series, it is a very special feeling to be driving my Prema car in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I will only be doing the first two rounds of the event championship, as I am moving up from F4 to Formula Regional and have to prepare for next year’s season, but I still want to win as many races as possible.”
In previous years the Formula Trophy was a stand-alone event at the Grand Prix weekend ahead of the Formula 4 United Arab Emirates Championship. For 2024 this has been expanded into a three-round Trophy Series which will lead into the newly designated F4 Middle East 2025 Championship kicking off in January.
“It is nice to have a 12-points lead in the Formula Trophy Championship after the first three races, even if I won’t be able to complete all three events. My focus has to be on my move up to Formula Regional which will present new challenges and opportunities. It is great that I will continue with Prema Racing, the team I have been with from the day I moved from karting into single-seater racing, and we are all looking forward to Formula Regional.”
2025 will be the fifth season of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), the only FIA-certified series officially bridging Formula 4 and Formula 3 on the FIA global pathway. It has established itself as essential for young drivers aiming to climb the motorsport ladder, therefore the next step forward in Al Dhaheri’s career.