Alex Ninovic will remain with Rodin Motorsport for the 2027 FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), extending his association with the British organisation as he prepares for his second season in the category. The Australian will aim to build on the experience gained during his rookie campaign, with improved qualifying performances, greater consistency and regular podium finishes among his principal objectives.
The 19-year-old finished tenth in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, securing 64 points and one podium as Rodin Motorsport completed its first campaign in the newly established FIA FREC. Although Ninovic demonstrated competitive pace during the opening round at the Red Bull Ring, he struggled to reproduce those results consistently throughout the remaining events.
His return provides both driver and team with continuity as the championship prepares to expand to ten rounds in 2027. The announcement also comes ahead of Ninovic’s participation in the FIA Formula Regional World Cup at Macau, where he will represent Rodin Motorsport alongside Reza Seewooruthun.
Ninovic targets improved consistency in second FIA FREC campaign
Ninovic’s decision to remain with Rodin Motorsport will allow him to continue developing within an environment he knows well, having progressed through several junior single-seater championships with the organisation.
His first FIA FREC campaign presented a considerable challenge as he adapted to the Tatuus T-326, introduced alongside the championship’s transition to full FIA status in 2026. Despite his previous success in British F4 and GB3, the Australian encountered a competitive field in which small differences in qualifying performance frequently determined a driver’s prospects for the remainder of the weekend.
Having completed a full season with the new machinery, Ninovic will enter 2027 with a stronger understanding of the car, tyres and championship procedures. He will also benefit from working with personnel familiar with his driving style and technical preferences.
Reflecting on the decision to remain with Rodin, Ninovic expressed confidence that the experience accumulated during 2026 would provide a foundation for improvement.
“I’m really excited to be returning to FIA FREC for a second season in 2027. We’ve put in a lot of work this year, and the goal is to build on everything we’ve learned and come back stronger and more consistent. A big thank you to everyone at Rodin Motorsport and Rodin Cars for their continued support and belief in me. I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together next year.”
Promising Spielberg performance highlights Ninovic’s potential
Ninovic began the 2026 FIA FREC season with an encouraging performance at the Red Bull Ring, where Rodin Motorsport immediately demonstrated its competitiveness during its debut weekend.
The Australian recorded two fastest laps across the opening round and remained among the leading contenders throughout the three-race event. Although a post-race penalty prevented him from retaining a podium finish in Race 2, he responded by securing second in the final contest, finishing behind race winner Reno Francot.
The result represented Ninovic’s first podium in the championship and provided an early indication of the pace he could achieve in the new-generation machinery. However, replicating that performance proved difficult as the season progressed, with challenging qualifying sessions and inconsistent race results limiting his opportunities to return to the podium.
Ninovic nevertheless continued accumulating experience across the championship’s eight rounds, ultimately finishing tenth in the Drivers’ standings with 64 points. His results contributed to Rodin Motorsport securing fifth in the Teams’ Championship with 144 points, an encouraging achievement during the organisation’s inaugural FIA FREC campaign.
The 2026 FIA FREC season review highlighted the competitiveness of the championship’s first year, which featured 11 different race winners and a title battle that remained undecided until the final race at Hockenheim.
Rodin Motorsport builds on successful partnership with Ninovic
Ninovic’s relationship with Rodin Motorsport extends back to his single-seater debut in the 2023 Spanish F4 Championship. Supported by Rodin Cars, the Australian finished tenth in his maiden campaign before progressing to British F4 with the same organisation in 2024.
He subsequently established himself as one of the championship’s leading drivers, collecting five victories and finishing runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship. Those performances earned him promotion to GB3 for 2025, where he enjoyed the most successful campaign of his career to date.
Ninovic dominated the GB3 Championship, securing nine victories and ten pole positions on his way to winning the title with one round remaining. His qualifying performances were particularly impressive, with the Australian establishing a new championship record for pole positions during the season.
His achievements included a dominant weekend at Brands Hatch, where he secured both pole positions and two race victories while strengthening his championship advantage. He subsequently completed his campaign at Monza, where he claimed another qualifying double to reach ten poles for the year.
Following that success, Ninovic continued with Rodin for the 2026 FIA FREC season. His latest contract extension will therefore preserve a partnership that has already delivered a GB3 title and several years of experience across the junior single-seater ladder.
Sporting Director Huntingford welcomes Ninovic’s return
Rodin Motorsport Sporting Director Benn Huntingford believes retaining Ninovic will provide an important foundation for the team’s second FIA FREC campaign.
Having entered the championship for the first time in 2026, Rodin spent much of the season developing its understanding of the new-generation car while competing against established Formula Regional organisations. Although the team secured several podium finishes and fifth in the Teams’ Championship, qualifying consistency remained an area for further improvement.
Ninovic’s return will allow the team to build on that experience without needing to establish a new working relationship with one of its drivers. The Australian’s familiarity with the organisation could prove particularly valuable as Rodin prepares for an expanded calendar and a larger championship grid.
“Alex returning for a second season gives us a strong platform to build on, understanding the level required to take another step forward and push for strong results,” said Huntingford.
The team’s immediate priorities will include converting its established pace into stronger qualifying positions and more consistent race results. With Ninovic already familiar with the car and team, Rodin will hope to begin the new campaign in a stronger position than during its debut season.
Macau Grand Prix provides final challenge before 2027
Before turning his attention fully towards 2027, Ninovic will compete in the FIA Formula Regional World Cup at the 73rd Macau Grand Prix, scheduled for 19–22 November 2026.
The Australian will represent Rodin Motorsport alongside Seewooruthun, with both drivers returning to Formula Regional machinery for the prestigious international event. The team will also enter two cars in the separate FIA F4 World Cup, expanding its participation across the Macau weekend.
The Guia Circuit presents a demanding challenge, combining long straights with narrow corners, substantial elevation changes and limited opportunities for overtaking. For Ninovic, who will make his first appearance at Macau, the event offers an opportunity to gain experience at one of junior single-seater racing’s most challenging venues.
His participation comes as part of a competitive 26-driver FIA Formula Regional World Cup entry, featuring several established Formula Regional competitors and drivers progressing towards FIA F3.
The event will also give Ninovic another opportunity to work with Rodin Motorsport before the team begins its preparations for the 2027 European championship.
Expanded 2027 FIA FREC calendar offers new opportunities
Ninovic’s second FIA FREC campaign will take place against the backdrop of several changes to the championship’s sporting structure and calendar.
The series will expand from eight to ten rounds in 2027, with Portimão and Silverstone joining the schedule and Barcelona-Catalunya returning as the season finale. All ten events will feature two qualifying sessions and two races, replacing the varying weekend formats used during the inaugural FIA campaign.
The revised structure should provide greater consistency for drivers and teams, while additional rounds will create more opportunities to recover from difficult results and build momentum across the season.
The championship will also expand to 12 teams and 36 cars, with Invicta Racing and LN4 Fusion joining the ten organisations retained from 2026. The larger field is expected to increase competition for qualifying positions, making Ninovic’s focus on single-lap performance particularly relevant.
As detailed in the 2027 FIA FREC calendar announcement, the championship will begin at Portimão from 9–11 April before visiting the Red Bull Ring, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps during the opening four rounds.
A potential Formula 1 support appearance at the Hungaroring, subject to contract, also forms part of the expanded calendar before the championship concludes at Barcelona-Catalunya in October.
Ninovic aims to challenge at the front in 2027
Ninovic’s return provides continuity for Rodin Motorsport as the team prepares to build on its first season in FIA Formula Regional competition. Having demonstrated strong pace during the opening round of 2026, the Australian will now aim to convert his experience into more consistent qualifying performances and regular podium challenges.
His previous success in British F4 and GB3 has already established his ability to compete for championships, although the transition to FIA FREC has presented a different challenge. Remaining with Rodin will provide an opportunity to develop further without simultaneously adapting to a new team environment.
For Rodin Motorsport, retaining an experienced driver will also support preparations for an expanded championship that will feature additional teams, circuits and race weekends.
With his 2027 programme confirmed, Ninovic will first turn his attention to the FIA Formula Regional World Cup at Macau before beginning preparations for the new European campaign. The Australian will enter his second FIA FREC season aiming to build on the lessons of 2026 and establish himself as a more consistent contender at the front of the field.
