The FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) heads to Monza from 19–21 June for the fourth round of the 2026 campaign, as the championship moves from the forests of the Belgian Ardennes to the high-speed straights of the Temple of Speed.
Held as part of the ACI Racing Weekend, the Monza event marks the halfway point of the eight-round season. Six different winners have emerged from the opening seven races, while the second-generation Formula Regional Tatuus T-326 single-seaters continue to produce a closely contested championship. The weekend is supported by the Italian Minister for Sport and Youth.
Al Dhaheri moves ahead after Spa
Rashid Al Dhaheri arrives at Monza as the new championship leader after moving to the top of the standings during the most recent round at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Junior Programme member has established himself as one of the season’s most consistent performers. After claiming victory for R-ace GP at the Red Bull Ring season opener, the Emirati driver has continued to collect important points across the opening three rounds.
As a result, Al Dhaheri now holds a one-point advantage over Sebastian Wheldon heading into Round 4. With three races scheduled at Monza, however, the championship lead could change quickly during a weekend in which a significant number of points will be available.
Wheldon remains the only multiple winner
Wheldon remains firmly in contention after becoming the only driver to claim two victories during the opening seven races.
The MP Motorsport driver completed a dominant double at Zandvoort, with his two victories in the Netherlands moving him to the top of the standings ahead of the previous round. Although Al Dhaheri subsequently edged ahead at Spa, Wheldon remains only one point behind.
Consequently, the championship’s leading pair arrive in Italy almost inseparable. Wheldon will look to rediscover the form that made him the driver to beat at Zandvoort, while Al Dhaheri will aim to protect his narrow advantage and strengthen his position at the top.
Nakamura-Berta continues to show front-running pace
Kean Nakamura-Berta also remains within reach of the championship lead following a strong start to the season with PREMA Racing.
The British-Japanese driver sits third in the standings, 13 points behind Al Dhaheri. He claimed victory at Spielberg and has added two further podium finishes across the opening three rounds.
Notably, Nakamura-Berta has secured three pole positions this season, underlining his strength over one lap. His Qualifying pace could once again prove important at Monza, where finding a clear lap and securing an effective slipstream will be crucial during the two group sessions.
With PREMA Racing competing on home soil, Nakamura-Berta will look to convert that speed into another victory and reduce the gap to the leading pair.
New winners emerge at Spa
The unpredictable nature of the 2026 season continued at Spa-Francorchamps, where Alexandre Munoz and Maksimilian Popov became the fifth and sixth different winners of the campaign.
Munoz claimed his first victory for ART Grand Prix, strengthening his position in both the overall championship and the Rookie standings. The French driver has consistently featured among the front-runners and now arrives at Monza with an opportunity to build on his breakthrough result.
Meanwhile, Popov secured Trident Motorsport’s first victory of the season in Belgium. The result added another team and driver to the growing list of race winners, further demonstrating the depth of competition throughout the field.
Earlier in the campaign, Reno Francot delivered CL Motorsport its maiden championship victory at the Red Bull Ring. With six drivers already reaching the top step of the podium, Monza could provide another opportunity for a new winner to emerge.
Rookie battle remains close
The Rookie standings are also finely balanced heading into the Italian round.
Emanuele Olivieri continues to lead the classification for R-ace GP after securing third place at Spa-Francorchamps. The result marked another important step in his debut campaign and gives him added momentum ahead of his home event.
However, his advantage over Munoz has been reduced to only three points following the ART Grand Prix driver’s victory in Belgium.
Olivieri will therefore be looking to respond on home soil as the two rookies continue to fight both for class honours and positions near the front of the overall field. With three races scheduled, the order could shift several times before the weekend is complete.
Drivers aim to convert podiums into victories
Several drivers outside the leading championship group have already demonstrated the pace required to contend at the front.
Rodin Motorsport teammates Alex Ninovic and Reza Seewooruthun have both secured podium finishes during the opening three rounds. Their performances have placed Rodin among the teams capable of challenging the established front-runners, although both drivers will now be targeting a first victory of the season.
Alexander Abkhazava has also reached the podium for MP Motorsport, adding further strength to the Dutch team’s campaign alongside Wheldon.
Elsewhere, Salim Hanna has claimed a podium for PREMA Racing and will look to deliver another strong result during the Italian team’s home round.
With several drivers already coming close to victory, Monza’s slipstreaming opportunities and reversed-grid contest could provide the conditions for another change at the front.
Monza ready for pivotal Round 4
A field of 30 drivers representing 10 teams is set to contest the Monza round from 19–21 June.
The Italian circuit presents a markedly different challenge from Spa-Francorchamps. Its long straights, heavy braking zones and low-downforce configuration will place a premium on straight-line speed, braking stability and the ability to use the slipstream effectively.
Qualifying is also likely to provide a strategic challenge. Drivers must find a tow along Monza’s lengthy straights while avoiding traffic and maintaining enough space to complete a clean lap.
The three-race format adds further unpredictability. Race 2 will reverse the fastest 12 drivers from Qualifying 1, giving several midfield contenders an opportunity to start near the front while forcing the leading Qualifying performers to recover positions.
After six different winners in seven races, the championship remains difficult to predict. With Al Dhaheri leading by one point, Wheldon chasing closely and Nakamura-Berta continuing to demonstrate strong Qualifying pace, Round 4 could play a decisive role in shaping the title fight as the season reaches its halfway point.
Weekend schedule for the Monza Round of the 2026 FREC
Track action begins on Thursday with two Collective Test sessions before the competitive programme starts on Friday.
Friday’s schedule features the sole 50-minute Free Practice session from 08:30 to 09:20 CEST. Later that day, Qualifying 1 begins at 16:25 CEST, with the field split into Groups A and B.
Race 1 is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 CEST and will run over 30 minutes plus one lap. Race 2, featuring the fastest 12 drivers from Qualifying 1 in reverse order, will begin at 16:30 CEST.
On Sunday, Qualifying 2 starts at 08:30 CEST and will determine the grid for the final race of the weekend. Race 3 is set to get underway at 13:00 CEST.
Where to watch
Fans around the world can follow the FIA Formula Regional European Championship’s Monza round through broadcasters covering more than 200 territories.
ACI Sport TV will broadcast both Qualifying sessions and all three races. In addition, every race will be available to watch live on the championship’s official YouTube channel, @fiaformularegionaleu.
