FRECA | 2025 Round 9 | Hockenheim | Collective Test 1 | Title rivals Slater and De Palo set the pace - Motorsport

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The penultimate round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine began at Hockenheim with the first Collective Test. The session immediately highlighted the intensity of the title battle between Freddie Slater of Prema Racing and Matteo De Palo of Trident. Both drivers wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Slater topping the timesheets with a lap of 1:34.697. De Palo followed closely, finishing only 0.235 seconds behind his championship rival.

Slater versus De Palo

From the start, Slater demonstrated his speed by setting consistently competitive lap times. De Palo, however, remained within striking distance throughout the session, reinforcing the fine margins that define this season’s title fight. Their close performance confirmed that every tenth of a second could prove decisive as the championship reaches its final stages.

Rising threats from ART Grand Prix and Van Amersfoort Racing

Evan Giltaire of ART Grand Prix reinforced his strong recent form by securing third place with a lap of 1:35.079. Consequently, he once again positioned himself as a potential disruptor to the title contenders. In addition, Pedro Clerot of Van Amersfoort Racing claimed fourth place, finishing less than four tenths from the top. His speed underlined the competitiveness of the Dutch outfit.

Meanwhile, Hiyu Yamakoshi also impressed in fifth, marking another strong showing for Van Amersfoort Racing. Behind him, Akshay Bohra of R-ace GP and Taito Kato of ART Grand Prix took sixth and seventh respectively, maintaining pressure on the front runners.

Rookie impact and midfield battles

The session further highlighted the emerging talent of rookie Dion Gowda. Driving for Van Amersfoort Racing, Gowda placed eighth with a 1:35.308 and became the fastest rookie in the field. Just three thousandths behind, Rashid Al Dhaheri of Prema Racing secured ninth, emphasising the fine margins across the midfield.

Close competition extended into the lower half of the top ten, where Trident teammates Ruiqi Liu and Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi claimed tenth and eleventh. Their presence ensured Trident remained well represented in the upper order of the classification.

Tight pack in closing positions

The remaining positions inside the top 14 also reflected the narrow gaps that defined the session. Jack Beeton of Prema Racing secured twelfth, followed by Nikita Bedrin of Saintéloc Racing in thirteenth. Jin Nakamura of R-ace GP rounded out the group in fourteenth place. Importantly, all fourteen drivers were covered by less than one second, which clearly illustrated the depth of competitiveness within the field.

An unpredictable weekend ahead

In conclusion, the opening session at Hockenheim not only confirmed the fierce rivalry between Slater and De Palo but also emphasised the strength of challengers from ART Grand Prix and Van Amersfoort Racing. With all leading drivers separated by fractions of a second, the stage is firmly set for a thrilling weekend. The balance between outright pace and strategic execution will likely determine who emerges as the stronger contender in the penultimate round of this tightly contested championship.