The 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) delivered another weekend of high drama at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With the championship entering a decisive phase, both the drivers’ and teams’ standings have tightened significantly. The Spanish round produced contrasting fortunes for the leading contenders, ensuring that the title fight remains finely balanced heading into the closing stages of the season.
Race 1: De Palo strikes to seize lead from Slater
Matteo De Palo seized the initiative in Race 1 with a commanding performance. Starting alongside Freddie Slater on the front row, the Trident driver made the stronger getaway and quickly moved into the lead. From there, he never looked back, absorbing pressure in the early stages before pulling clear to secure his fourth victory of the season.
Slater, who had lined up on pole, lacked the ultimate pace to reclaim the top spot. He defended bravely against Pedro Clerot in the closing laps, holding on to second place by the narrowest of margins. Clerot’s third place reinforced his growing momentum after a consistent run of podium finishes.
Further down the order, Jin Nakamura impressed with a strong fourth place, while Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi recorded his best finish of the year in fifth. Taito Kato and Evan Giltaire staged a spirited duel, finishing sixth and seventh respectively. Rashid Al Dhaheri, Jack Beeton, and Kanato Le completed the top ten.
For Enzo Deligny, however, the race proved disastrous. Early contact forced him to pit with front-wing damage, and despite rejoining, he ultimately retired. The result dealt a major blow to his hopes of closing in on the leaders.
Race 2: Deligny dominates in damp conditions
Sunday’s contest offered redemption for Deligny. Starting from pole position on a damp circuit, the Frenchman controlled proceedings with poise and determination. Pedro Clerot pushed him relentlessly throughout the race, narrowing the gap to within a few tenths in the closing laps, but Deligny held firm to claim a crucial victory for R-ace GP.
Behind them, Akshay Bohra capitalised on the conditions to secure his second podium of the campaign. He fended off a fierce challenge from Evan Giltaire and Freddie Slater, the latter climbing into podium contention before a final-corner error relegated him to fifth.
Michael Belov delivered a standout drive for CL Motorsport in sixth, while De Palo struggled to make progress after starting mid-pack and finished seventh. The result curtailed his momentum from Saturday and prevented him from seizing the outright championship lead.
Drivers’ Championship: Deadlock at the top
The Barcelona round reshaped the title picture. After Race 1, De Palo had cut into Slater’s lead, but the dynamics shifted again on Sunday. Deligny’s win, combined with Slater’s late error and De Palo’s muted performance, ensured that the top four remain separated by fewer than 30 points.
Slater and De Palo now share the championship lead on equal points, setting up a fascinating duel as the season progresses. Deligny and Clerot, both resurgent in Barcelona, remain firmly in the hunt.
Behind the leading quartet, Bohra strengthened his grip on fifth place with 133 points, while Giltaire’s consistent top-ten finishes keep him sixth on 125 points. Rashid Al Dhaheri sits seventh with 95 points, ahead of Hiyu Yamakoshi on 86. Taito Kato’s strong Barcelona results lifted him to ninth, tied with Jin Nakamura on 64 points.
Drivers’ standings after Round 8 (Barcelona) of the 2025 FRECA
- Freddie Slater – 226 points
- Matteo De Palo – 226 points
- Enzo Deligny – 198 points
- Pedro Clerot – 198 points
- Akshay Bohra – 133 points
- Evan Giltaire – 125 points
- Rashid Al Dhaheri – 95 points
- Hiyu Yamakoshi – 86 points
- Taito Kato – 71 points
- Nikita Bedrin – 64 points
- Jin Nakamura – 64 points
- Jack Beeton – 32 points
- Kanato Le – 26 points
- Dion Gowda – 22 points
- Michael Belov – 21 points
- Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi – 20 points
- Giovanni Maschio – 4 points
- Ruiqi Liu – 2 points
- Ean Eyckmans – 2 points
- Reno Francot – 1 point
Teams’ Championship: R-ace GP extends advantage
In the teams’ standings, R-ace GP reaped the rewards of Deligny’s victory and Bohra’s podium. The French outfit extended its lead to 382 points, consolidating its position at the head of the field.
Prema Racing remains a close second on 337 points, with Slater’s and Al Dhaheri’s contributions proving vital. Van Amersfoort Racing also remains firmly in contention with 298 points, boosted by Clerot’s consistent podium form.
Trident occupies fourth with 248 points, while ART Grand Prix continues to build steadily on 217. The midfield battle remains tight, with Saintéloc Racing on 64, CL Motorsport on 21, and RPM on 7.
Teams’ standings after Round 8 (Barcelona) of the 2025 FRECA
- R-ace GP – 382 points
- Prema Racing – 337 points
- Van Amersfoort Racing – 298 points
- Trident – 248 points
- ART Grand Prix – 217 points
- Saintéloc Racing – 64 points
- CL Motorsport – 21 points
- RPM – 7 points
A four-way battle with two rounds to go
The championship now stands on a knife-edge. Slater and De Palo enter the next round locked on points, while Deligny and Clerot are hot on their heels with strong Barcelona performances. With two rounds remaining, the fight is not a duel but a genuine four-way contest.
