2026 | FREC | Spielberg | Race 2 | Al Dhaheri inherits Red Bull Ring victory after Gowda penalised

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Hours after PREMA Racing’s Kean-Nakamura Berta claimed the first win of the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), and in front of a jubilant Austrian crowd still celebrating Mathey Racing’s Thomas Preining’s DTM win, R-ace GP’s Rashid Al Dhaheri added his name to the day’s victors at Spielberg, after inheriting the Race 2 win from Van Amersfoort Racing’s Dion Gowda who was demoted after a five-second penalty for a jump-start which had seen him claim the lead of the race.

A bright start sees Gowda seize the early lead of the 2026 FREC Race 2 in Spielberg

Under clear skies at the Red Bull Ring, Race 2 at the Red Bull Ring unfolded with immediate intensity. Reverse grid conditions placed Reza Seewooruthun on pole, alongside Dion Gowda, setting the stage for an unpredictable contest.

As the lights went out, Gowda reacted sharply and surged into the lead. However, Seewooruthun stayed close after Gowda locked up into Turn 3. Meanwhile, PREMA Racing’s Tomass Štolcermanis made early progress to move into third, as the front runners began to break away.

Early chaos and Safety Car interruptions

Soon after the start, incidents disrupted the flow. A stalled car and multiple collisions forced the first Safety Car deployment. Consequently, the field bunched up, and early momentum vanished.

At the same time, officials placed Gowda under investigation for a potential jump start. This decision quickly became pivotal. Although Gowda controlled the restart confidently, race control soon handed him a five-second penalty.

Shortly afterwards, another multi-car collision triggered a second Safety Car. As a result, the race spent much of its first half under neutral conditions, limiting overtaking opportunities and increasing strategic pressure.

Mid-race battles begin to unfold as late-race charges sees changes at the front

Once racing resumed, Gowda attempted to build a decisive gap. Nevertheless, the penalty continued to loom over his race. Behind him, Seewooruthun defended firmly while fending off pressure from charging rivals.

At this stage, Rashid Al Dhaheri began to emerge as a serious contender. He sliced through the field with confidence, overtaking decisively to move into the top positions. In parallel, Alex Ninovic advanced steadily, positioning himself for a potential podium.

However, track limits warnings added another layer of complexity. Several drivers, including Sebastian Wheldon, received penalties, which reshuffled the order further.

As the race entered its final minutes, the battle intensified. Al Dhaheri continued his relentless push and overtook rivals ahead, eventually closing in on Seewooruthun. With precision and determination, he executed a decisive move to take second place on track.

At the same time, Gowda remained out front but failed to extend his advantage beyond the crucial five-second margin. Consequently, the fight behind him effectively became the battle for victory. Meanwhile, Ninovic applied pressure and secured fourth on the road, which later proved critical.

Penalty decides the outcome of a chaotic race

Gowda crossed the line first; however, the time penalty dropped him down the order. Therefore, Al Dhaheri inherited the victory, completing a remarkable climb through the field.

Seewooruthun secured second place after a composed drive, while Ninovic moved up to third to complete the podium. The final classification reflected not only pace but also discipline and race management.

Ultimately, Race 2 in Spielberg highlighted the importance of precision under pressure. Although Gowda demonstrated strong pace, his early mistake proved costly. In contrast, Al Dhaheri combined speed with consistency to capitalise fully.

As the championship progresses, this result could carry significant momentum. Moreover, the dramatic nature of the race reinforces the unpredictable and fiercely competitive spirit of the series.