Yuki Sano and Reza Seewooruthun reflected on their strong Qualifying performances after securing the front row for the opening race of the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) weekend at the Hungaroring.
Sano claimed his maiden European pole position after topping Group A for R-ace GP with a 1:37.760. Meanwhile, Seewooruthun led Group B for Rodin Motorsport with a 1:37.785, finishing just 0.025s behind Sano’s overall benchmark.
Sano builds on Monza momentum
Sano entered the Hungaroring round after taking his maiden FREC podium at Monza. The Japanese driver then carried that momentum into Qualifying, where he became the sixth different polesitter of the 2026 season.
The R-ace GP driver described the result as especially meaningful after a difficult start to the campaign. He also praised his team’s strength at the Hungaroring and outlined his target for Race 1.
“It was a really good lap and the car was amazing. I’m very happy to have taken pole position. This is my first pole in Europe, which makes it even more special for me. At the beginning of the season I struggled a little, but after taking my first podium with P3 at Monza and now securing pole position here, I feel that we are making good progress and moving in the right direction. R-ace GP has always been strong at the Hungaroring and having my team-mates close to me on the grid gives us confidence for the race. Starting from pole is a great opportunity, although I know this afternoon’s race won’t be easy, especially in these conditions. The target is clear: I start from P1 and my focus is to stay in P1 and fight for the win.”
Sano produced his best lap at the crucial moment. Rashid Al Dhaheri had moved to the top of Group A with a 1:37.779 in the closing stages, but Sano responded after the chequered flag and edged his team-mate by 0.019s.
As a result, he starts Race 1 from pole and heads into the opening contest with a clear chance to fight for victory.
Seewooruthun turns Qualifying pace into a front-row start for Race 1 at the 2026 FREC Hungaroring Round
Meanwhile, Seewooruthun secured his strongest Qualifying result of the season after topping Group B. The Rodin Motorsport driver had shown speed throughout the Thursday and Friday sessions, but he had struggled to convert that pace into a headline Qualifying result earlier in the campaign.
At the Hungaroring, however, he put the lap together when it mattered. His 1:37.785 placed him 0.151s clear of Emanuele Olivieri in Group B and earned him second on the Race 1 grid.
“I’m very happy to be starting from the front row. It’s been a tough season so far, probably the toughest start to any season I’ve experienced, so this result means a lot. The pace has always been there, especially during the Thursday and Friday sessions, but we just hadn’t managed to put everything together in qualifying until now. To do it here at the Hungaroring, and in such hot and challenging conditions, makes it even more satisfying. Tyre management is definitely going to be one of the key factors in the race.”
Seewooruthun’s result gives Rodin Motorsport a front-row start for the opening race. In addition, it places him in position to challenge Sano when the lights go out.
Front-row pair shift focus to tyre management
Sano and Seewooruthun reached the front row through different groups, but both drivers executed when the session demanded it. Sano delivered a final-lap response to beat Al Dhaheri, while Seewooruthun converted Rodin Motorsport’s practice pace into Group B’s fastest time.
Now, both drivers must turn their attention to Race 1. Sano wants to control the race from pole, while Seewooruthun expects tyre management to play a decisive role in the hot Hungaroring conditions.
Race 1 starts at 18:20 and runs over 30 minutes plus one lap. Fans can watch live coverage in more than 200 territories worldwide, including on ACI Sport TV and through the championship’s official YouTube channel, @fiaformularegionaleu.