The FIA has confirmed a capacity 26-driver entry list for the third FIA Formula Regional (FR) World Cup, which will take place during the 73rd Macau Grand Prix from 19–22 November 2026. The field features leading Formula Regional champions, FIA Formula 3 competitors and drivers supported by seven Formula 1 development academies.
Thirteen teams will each field two Pirelli-equipped Tatuus T-326 cars, marking the first appearance of second-generation Formula Regional machinery on Macau’s demanding Guia Circuit. The new car introduces revised aerodynamics, enhanced safety features and the FIA-developed Race Mode push-to-pass system, adding another dimension to the international competition.
Among the leading contenders are newly crowned FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) champion Emanuele Olivieri, runner-up Sebastian Wheldon and third-place finisher Kean Nakamura-Berta. They will face competition from several experienced Macau competitors, including returning champion team Pinnacle Motorsport and drivers Enzo Deligny, Mattia Colnaghi and Rashid Al Dhaheri.
The expanded international field also features recently crowned Eurocup-3 champion James Egozi and Super Formula Lights champion Evan Giltaire, bringing together competitors from several junior single-seater categories for one of the season’s most prestigious events.
Gen2 Formula Regional car makes Macau debut
The 2026 FIA FR World Cup will introduce the second-generation Tatuus T-326 to Macau, replacing the previous Formula Regional machinery used during the competition’s opening two editions.
Tatuus developed the car in close collaboration with the FIA, incorporating aerodynamic principles inspired by Formula 1 to encourage closer racing and improve overtaking opportunities. The updated specification also introduces improvements in performance and safety, reflecting the FIA’s continued efforts to strengthen the junior single-seater pathway.
A major addition is the Race Mode push-to-pass system, which allows drivers to access additional performance during competition. The FIA developed the technology through an extensive research programme, aiming to encourage overtaking while maintaining competitive balance.
The new machinery made its European competitive debut during the inaugural 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship, giving several Macau entrants valuable experience with the updated platform.
However, the Guia Circuit presents a unique challenge. Its 6.120-kilometre layout combines long, high-speed sections with narrow corners and limited runoff, demanding precision and confidence throughout the weekend.
With several drivers encountering the circuit for the first time, experience with the new car could prove particularly valuable during qualifying and the races.
Pinnacle Motorsport returns to defend World Cup title
Pinnacle Motorsport will return to Macau seeking a second consecutive FIA FR World Cup victory after securing the 2025 title with Théophile Naël.
The French driver delivered an impressive performance during last year’s event, winning following a closely contested slipstream battle on the Guia Circuit. His victory established Pinnacle among the leading teams in the competition and provided the foundation for its return in 2026.
The outfit has recruited French driver Enzo Deligny and Japan’s Hiyu Yamakoshi, both of whom have previous experience at Macau.
Deligny finished third in the 2025 FIA FR World Cup before progressing into FIA Formula 3 for 2026. His return to Formula Regional machinery will provide an opportunity to challenge for victory at a circuit where he has already demonstrated strong performance.
Yamakoshi also returns after finishing 12th in last year’s competition. The Japanese driver spent 2026 competing in FIA F3, gaining additional experience that could benefit him during his second Macau appearance.
The pairing gives Pinnacle two drivers familiar with the circuit and capable of challenging against the championship’s leading Formula Regional competitors.
Olivieri and Al Dhaheri headline R-ace GP challenge
R-ace GP enters Macau with a particularly strong line-up featuring 2026 FREC champion Emanuele Olivieri and Mercedes-AMG Junior Programme member Rashid Al Dhaheri.
Olivieri secured the inaugural FIA FREC title following a closely contested championship battle against Wheldon, Nakamura-Berta and Al Dhaheri. The Italian also claimed the Rookie Championship, completing a successful first season with the new Formula Regional machinery.
His championship-winning performance at Hockenheim followed an impressive second half of the season, during which he transformed a substantial points deficit into a championship lead.
Olivieri also has previous Macau experience, having finished runner-up in the inaugural FIA F4 World Cup in 2025.
His teammate Al Dhaheri arrives following a competitive FREC campaign, where he secured three victories and finished fourth in the standings. The Emirati will make his fourth appearance at the Guia Circuit, giving him more experience of the challenging venue than many of his rivals.
R-ace GP previously won the inaugural FIA FR World Cup in 2024 with Ugo Ugochukwu and will aim to reclaim the title with its championship-winning driver pairing.
Wheldon and Colnaghi strengthen MP Motorsport line-up
MP Motorsport will field two of the strongest performers from the 2026 junior single-seater season, pairing American driver Sebastian Wheldon with Argentine Red Bull junior Mattia Colnaghi.
Wheldon finished runner-up in the FIA FREC standings after securing four victories, the highest total of any driver during the season. His campaign included several strong qualifying performances and a victory in the Hockenheim finale, although Olivieri ultimately secured the championship.
The American also gained Macau experience in 2025, securing pole position for the FIA F4 World Cup Qualification Race. His return with MP Motorsport will therefore provide an opportunity to build on that promising debut.
Colnaghi arrives with further experience after finishing fourth in the 2025 FIA FR World Cup. The Argentine subsequently competed in FIA F3 during 2026, gaining experience at a higher level before returning to the Formula Regional category for the Macau event.
Their combination of recent championship success and previous Macau experience could make MP Motorsport one of the leading contenders.
PREMA and Theodore Racing bring established talent
PREMA Racing will field American driver Alex Powell alongside Colombian Salim Hanna, combining FIA F3 experience with recent Formula Regional success.
Powell competed in FIA F3 during 2026 and will make his Macau Grand Prix debut, while Hanna returns to the Formula Regional category after securing victory at Imola during the European championship.
The Colombian recently confirmed his move to Campos Racing for the 2027 FIA F3 season, making Macau an opportunity to conclude his Formula Regional campaign before beginning his first full season in the championship.
Meanwhile, SJM Theodore Racing will field British driver Kean Nakamura-Berta and American James Egozi, bringing together two champions from different junior single-seater categories.
Nakamura-Berta won the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East title before finishing third in the FIA FREC standings. The Williams Driver Academy member also competed in the 2025 FIA F4 World Cup, providing valuable knowledge of the Guia Circuit.
Egozi arrives after securing the 2026 Eurocup-3 Drivers’ Championship, establishing himself as one of the season’s leading competitors.
Theodore Racing’s participation also continues the team’s longstanding connection to Macau, where it has competed across several generations of junior single-seater racing.
ART Grand Prix and TOM’S bring Japanese championship contenders
ART Grand Prix has recruited Super Formula Lights champion Evan Giltaire and Japanese driver Taito Kato, creating another strong pairing for the Macau event.
Giltaire returns after finishing sixth in the 2025 FIA FR World Cup. The Frenchman subsequently moved into Super Formula Lights, where he secured the 2026 championship following a competitive campaign.
His teammate Kato finished fourth in the 2026 FIA F3 standings, gaining considerable experience in international single-seater racing. The Japanese driver previously won the French F4 Championship and will now return to Formula Regional machinery for Macau.
TOM’S Racing will field an all-Japanese line-up featuring Yuki Sano and Kiyoshi Umegaki.
Sano enjoyed a successful 2026 FIA FREC campaign, securing his maiden victory in the championship and establishing himself among the leading competitors. Umegaki also arrives with strong credentials after finishing third in the Super Formula Lights standings.
TOM’S earned its place in the field after winning the 2025 Formula Regional Japanese Championship Teams’ title, strengthening the Japanese presence in the international competition.
FIA F3 drivers join competitive international field
Several other teams will field drivers with experience across FIA F3, Formula Regional and North American junior single-seater championships.
Trident has recruited Indian driver Aryaman Bansal, who finished fifth in the inaugural FIA F4 World Cup, alongside Polish racer Tymek Kucharczyk. The latter has competed in Indy NXT during 2026 and returns to Macau after recovering from 24th on the grid to finish 13th in last year’s FR World Cup.
Van Amersfoort Racing will enter Red Bull Junior Team driver Ernesto Rivera alongside Jules Roussel, the winner of the inaugural FIA F4 World Cup in 2025. Rivera gained FIA F3 experience during 2026 but will make his Macau debut, while Roussel returns to the circuit where he secured an important international title.
Rodin Motorsport has selected Australian Alex Ninovic and British driver Reza Seewooruthun, both of whom competed in the FIA FREC during 2026. Their familiarity with the new Formula Regional car could provide an advantage as the team prepares for its first FIA FR World Cup.
RPM will field Russian-licensed driver Maksimilian Popov, who secured a FREC race victory during the season, alongside Singaporean Kabir Anurag.
CL Motorsport has named Zhenrui Chi, who competes under the Italian flag, and Matteo De Palo, while G4 Racing completes the field with French driver Andrea Dupé and Kai Daryanani.
The variety of experience represented across these teams reinforces the international character of the championship, bringing together drivers from different junior categories for a one-off competition.
FIA welcomes competitive 26-car entry
FIA Single-Seater Commission President Emanuele Pirro welcomed the strength of the entry list, highlighting the competition’s role in preparing drivers for FIA Formula 3 and other higher-level championships.
“We’re delighted that the level of interest we’ve seen in Formula Regional Championships Certified by the FIA this year has transferred to the FIA FR World Cup where we can count on a capacity 26-car entry. But this entry list is not just about quantity, it’s also about quality and it’s certainly an entry list full of drivers with big potential for the future based on their career results so far. And with FIA Formula 3 the next step for many of the drivers taking part, this is a great opportunity for them to demonstrate their talent in a highly competitive environment and during such a prestigious occasion as the Macau Grand Prix. I’m also expecting big things from the Gen2 Formula Regional car with its push-to-pass Race Mode system, that are new for this year and will bring more excitement to the event.”
The FIA’s selection process has brought together 13 teams, with seven drivers preparing for their Macau Grand Prix debuts. Drivers from 13 nations and seven Formula 1 development academies feature in the field.
The competition also continues strengthening the relationship between the FIA F4 and FR World Cups. Several drivers from the inaugural F4 event will return to Macau in more powerful machinery, demonstrating how the events can support progression through the junior single-seater ladder.
Complete 2026 FIA FR World Cup entry list
The FIA has confirmed the following 13 teams and 26 drivers for the 2026 FIA Formula Regional World Cup:
- ART Grand Prix: Evan Giltaire and Taito Kato
- CL Motorsport: Zhenrui Chi and Matteo De Palo
- G4 Racing: Andrea Dupé and Kai Daryanani
- MP Motorsport: Sebastian Wheldon and Mattia Colnaghi
- Pinnacle Motorsport: Enzo Deligny and Hiyu Yamakoshi
- PREMA Racing: Alex Powell and Salim Hanna
- R-ace GP: Emanuele Olivieri and Rashid Al Dhaheri
- Rodin Motorsport: Alex Ninovic and Reza Seewooruthun
- RPM: Maksimilian Popov and Kabir Anurag
- SJM Theodore Racing: Kean Nakamura-Berta and James Egozi
- TOM’S Racing: Yuki Sano and Kiyoshi Umegaki
- Trident: Aryaman Bansal and Tymek Kucharczyk
- Van Amersfoort Racing: Ernesto Rivera and Jules Roussel
All 26 drivers will compete in identical Pirelli-equipped Tatuus T-326 Formula Regional cars, with the provisional entry list bringing together several championship winners and experienced Macau competitors.
Macau prepares for third FIA FR World Cup
The 2026 FIA FR World Cup will take place during the 73rd Macau Grand Prix from 19–22 November, with the competition serving as the event’s headline single-seater race.
The championship began in 2024 when Ugo Ugochukwu secured victory for R-ace GP, before Théophile Naël claimed the 2025 title with Pinnacle Motorsport.
Both editions demonstrated the challenges presented by Macau’s narrow streets, long straights and demanding technical sections, where qualifying performance and racecraft can prove decisive.
The introduction of the Gen2 Formula Regional car and its Race Mode system will add a new element to the 2026 competition, potentially creating further overtaking opportunities on the challenging circuit.
The FIA FR World Cup will form part of a busy Macau Grand Prix programme that also includes the FIA GT World Cup, the FIA F4 World Cup and the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour.
Fans will be able to watch the event live and free of charge through the FIA’s official YouTube channel.
With reigning Formula Regional champions, FIA F3 competitors, Formula 1 academy drivers and returning Macau contenders on the grid, the third FIA FR World Cup promises another closely contested edition as 26 drivers compete for one of junior single-seater racing’s most prestigious honours.
