Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited has officially announced Kean Nakamura-Berta, Salim Hanna and Sebastian Wheldon as its driver line-up for the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East (FRME) Trophy. With this confirmation, the team underlines its ambition to contend at the front during the debut season of the new-generation Formula Regional car.
Importantly, the line-up combines championship-winning pedigree, proven consistency and emerging international talent. As a result, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited positions itself as one of the most competitive teams heading into the 2026 campaign.
Kean Nakamura-Berta: Proven champion and team leader
Kean Nakamura-Berta enters the FRME Trophy as one of the most accomplished drivers of his generation. Although he narrowly missed out on the Formula 4 Middle East Championship title at the beginning of last year, he responded decisively by sweeping both the Italian F4 and Euro 4 championships thereafter.
Nakamura-Berta brings a truly international background. He built an exceptional karting career, winning the Karting World Championship in OK-Junior and later claiming the Karting European Championship. Consequently, his transition to single-seaters came with high expectations.
In Formula 4, he consistently delivered. He finished runner-up in the 2024 Formula 4 UAE Championship and followed this with a dominant 2025 season in Italy, where he secured the Italian F4 title. Moreover, his experience with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited in the Middle East strengthens continuity within the team.
Therefore, Nakamura-Berta arrives in Formula Regional not only as a title winner, but also as a natural reference point within the squad.
Sebastian Wheldon: Rising American talent with global experience
Alongside Nakamura-Berta, American driver Sebastian Wheldon adds further strength to the FRME Trophy line-up. As the son of the late Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon, Sebastian carries a well-known motorsport legacy. However, he continues to build his reputation firmly on performance.
Wheldon progressed steadily through karting before making a highly successful transition into car racing. He claimed the Skip Barber Formula Race Series title in 2023, delivering multiple wins and podiums. Subsequently, he impressed in USF Juniors and secured victories early in the 2024 season.
In addition, Wheldon gained valuable international experience in the Middle East and Europe. He claimed pole position and a race win in Formula Trophy UAE and then contested the F4 Middle East Championship, Italian F4 and Euro 4 alongside Nakamura-Berta. Notably, he finished third in the Italian F4 Championship, confirming his ability to compete consistently at the front.
As a member of the Andretti Global driver development programme, Wheldon now steps into Formula Regional competition with strong backing and growing confidence.
Salim Hanna: Consistency, progression and rookie success
Completing the line-up, Colombian driver Salim Hanna brings a profile defined by consistency, maturity and steady progression. Coached during his karting career by Juan Pablo Montoya, Hanna built a strong foundation by winning the WSK Open Cup and Trofeo delle Industrie in 2022.
He made his single-seater debut with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited in the Formula Trophy UAE before committing to a full Formula 4 campaign. During the 2025 F4 Middle East Championship, he secured his first podium and claimed the rookie title. Subsequently, he joined Prema Racing for Italian F4 and Euro 4, where he regularly finished inside the top five and ended the Italian season as rookie champion.
Furthermore, Hanna demonstrated his versatility by competing part-time in the British F4 Championship, where he claimed multiple victories. As a result, he arrives in the FRME Trophy with both momentum and experience across diverse racing environments.
A cohesive and competitive FRME Trophy line-up
Together, Nakamura-Berta, Wheldon and Hanna form a cohesive and highly competitive driver trio. All three raced across the UAE, Italian and Euro 4 championships, often against each other, which strengthens mutual understanding and technical alignment.
Moreover, their combined experience provides Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited with a strong platform to approach the new Formula Regional regulations. The introduction of the next-generation car places increased emphasis on adaptability, feedback and development pace—areas where all three drivers have already demonstrated strength.
With its driver line-up now confirmed, Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited turns its attention firmly towards preparation for the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Trophy. By blending championship success, international exposure and proven development pathways, the team signals clear intent ahead of the new era.
Consequently, expectations remain high as the squad prepares to challenge at the front of the field when the FRME Trophy 2026 season begins.
