The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) have formally announced the launch of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, a new FIA-sanctioned single-seater series scheduled to begin in 2026. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the FIA’s carefully designed driver development framework, which aims to grow emerging motorsport talent across Europe and beyond.
In doing so, the new championship will serve as a vital rung on the ladder of single-seater racing, positioned to offer young drivers an accessible, competitive, and internationally recognised platform on their path towards the pinnacle of motorsport. With this in mind, the FIA and ACI intend to future-proof the junior racing ecosystem by updating technical standards, improving cost efficiency, and strengthening the progression pathway.
Introduction of the FR Gen2 Car: A step forward in junior single-seaters
At the heart of this transformation, the championship’s overhaul will centre on the introduction of the FR Gen2 chassis in 2026, marking a major technological leap for the Formula Regional category. The new car will incorporate the latest safety innovations, enhanced aerodynamics, and improved performance characteristics. Notably, the chassis will be developed with full alignment to FIA’s global technical standards, ensuring consistency and competitiveness across all FIA-sanctioned junior categories.
In addition, the FR Gen2 will be paired with a new tyre specification supplied by Pirelli, designed to optimise performance, durability, and driver control under racing conditions. These enhancements, in turn, will modernise the Formula Regional platform, providing a more relevant and challenging experience for drivers preparing to step up to FIA Formula 3 and higher series.
More importantly, this evolution in machinery indicates more than just a technical update; it reflects the FIA’s commitment to adapting the junior single-seater scene to the demands of today’s market and the expectations of tomorrow’s talent.
Introducing the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, a brand-new, FIA-supported single-seater competition set to commence in 2026.
— FIA (@fia) July 31, 2025
The new championship will feature the Gen 2 Formula Regional chassis and a new tyre specification from Pirelli, ensuring the very latest… pic.twitter.com/fHQxuMQJZU
Partnership between FIA and ACI builds on success of FRECA
The championship will be organised in close collaboration between the FIA and ACI, Italy’s national motorsport authority. In doing so, this partnership builds directly on the strong foundation laid by the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), which has been operating since 2019 under ACI and Alpine’s stewardship.
Over the past five years, FRECA has rapidly established itself as one of the most competitive and international junior single-seater series globally. Indeed, it has attracted more than 160 drivers from 44 different nationalities, competing across 22 teams. As a result, the championship has earned a reputation as a highly effective development ground, producing several drivers who have since risen to the upper tiers of motorsport. Notable alumni include Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Franco Colapinto — all of whom have used the series as a vital path towards FIA Formula 3 and beyond.
By leveraging this successful collaboration, the FIA and ACI aim to maintain and grow the championship’s competitive integrity, technical equity, and sporting excellence while growing its international reach.
Modernising the Championship: Technical and sporting reset
The transition from the current Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) to the newly established FIA Formula Regional European Championship in 2026 will mark a significant turning point in the evolution of the junior single-seater ladder. Far from being a simple rebranding, this shift represents a complete reset of the series’ technical and sporting framework. Both the rulebook and the machinery will be overhauled to ensure the new championship is fully aligned with the latest FIA safety protocols, technical innovations, and sporting guidelines.
At the heart of this transformation lies the introduction of the FR Gen2 car, which will usher in a new era for Formula Regional competition in Europe. Designed to meet the demands of modern single-seater racing, the new chassis will incorporate cutting-edge safety technology and engineering solutions intended to elevate the driving experience while maintaining cost-conscious design. This aligns with the FIA’s broader commitment to balancing performance, safety, and accessibility across its development pathway.
Coming in 2026: the all-new FR Gen2 🔥
— FIA (@fia) July 31, 2025
A game-changer for junior single-seaters and a bold step towards reshaping the Formula Regional scene in Europe.
The future starts here. #FIA #FormulaRegional pic.twitter.com/kfKML9YQjx
These changes reflect the FIA’s broader vision to modernise the junior single-seater landscape by creating a platform that better suits the financial realities of teams and drivers while maintaining a high level of technical challenge and sporting spectacle. The reset will create an appealing and accessible environment for emerging drivers and teams seeking a clear pathway through the FIA’s single-seater hierarchy.
Aligning with FIA’s Global Development Pathway
The new FIA Formula Regional European Championship fits directly within the organisation’s broader mission to create a transparent, accessible, and cost-efficient progression route for young drivers. As such, by formally integrating the series into the FIA’s single-seater ladder, the championship becomes a vital component of a globally harmonised structure that enables emerging talent to rise through the ranks based on merit and development potential.
Positioned as the official step between national FIA Formula 4 championships and FIA Formula 3, the European Formula Regional series will serve as the cornerstone of the intermediate tier. In doing so, it will prepare drivers both technically and mentally for the challenges of international racing, offering a platform with increased performance, professional team operations, and strong competitive depth.
Meanwhile, although the European series will act as the flagship Formula Regional competition, it is part of a broader family of FIA-certified regional championships operating in key motorsport territories — including the Americas, Japan, the Middle East, and Oceania. Each of these series continues to play an important role in cultivating local talent and making high-level single-seater racing more accessible. Looking ahead, each is expected to introduce the FR Gen2 chassis in due course, adapting the latest regulations and technical standards while respecting the economic and logistical realities of their respective regions.
Taken together, these parallel pathways reinforce the FIA’s commitment to developing a coherent and inclusive global ecosystem for driver progression — one that empowers young racers to advance their careers wherever they begin.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem on strengthening the junior single-seater ecosystem
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem noted the crucial role the new Formula Regional European Championship will play in shaping the future of junior single-seater racing. According to him, the initiative marks a vital step towards creating a more robust and supportive environment for emerging drivers.
Importantly, Ben Sulayem emphasised the significance of collaboration across FIA regions to ensure the championship’s long-term success. He stressed that clear progression pathways are essential for developing young talent, particularly in a global landscape that demands both opportunity and structure. In this context, the project reflects the FIA’s broader commitment to increasing accessibility and growing sustainable motorsport, carefully balancing international prestige with financial practicality.
He said: “This project will create a stronger, better-supported environment for young drivers. With the full support of the FIA regions and a vision of clear progression, we are taking an important step in future-proofing the junior single-seater pyramid. Ensuring accessibility, international credibility, and cost efficiency is at the core of this initiative.”
Ben Sulayem’s remarks underline the FIA’s strategic approach to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, reinforcing the organisation’s role as a global steward of motorsport development. By focusing on cost control and accessibility, the FIA aims to broaden opportunities for drivers worldwide, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder the most promising prospects.
General Tullio Del Sette on ACI’s leadership and motorsport development
General Tullio Del Sette, Special Commissioner of the Automobile Club d’Italia, reaffirmed the Italian federation’s commitment to advancing international motorsport through its partnership with the FIA. He expressed pride in the series’ integration into the FIA’s global motorsport framework and highlighted the value this brings to both the championship and its participants.
Furthermore, Del Sette praised the organisational model developed by ACI and its effective collaboration with Alpine, which has played a key role in the growth and success of the previous Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. He described the new championship’s elevation as a prestigious recognition of ACI’s contributions to driver development and international racing standards.
He stated: “With the official entry of the Formula Regional European Championship into the FIA series, the Italian Federation reaffirms its leading role in the development of international motorsport. This is a prestigious recognition of the work carried out by ACI and the effectiveness of our organisational model. This step up in category enhances the value of the series on a global scale, offering drivers a technical and sporting context comparable to that of higher-level championships, while also contributing to the development of future champions.”
Improving the pathway for young drivers
The launch of the FIA Formula Regional European Championship marks a strategic investment in the future of junior single-seater racing. It provides young drivers with a modern, competitive, and clearly defined platform that bridges the gap between entry-level single-seaters and the demands of global FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 categories.
By introducing the FR Gen2 car and establishing an updated sporting and technical framework, the FIA and ACI aim to foster a vibrant ecosystem that supports driver development, sporting fairness, and sustainable growth. This approach ensures the championship remains relevant, accessible, and attractive for the next generation of racing talent.
As preparations continue towards the inaugural 2026 season, the FIA Formula Regional European Championship promises to become a cornerstone of the global motorsport talent pipeline and a key milestone on the road to Formula 1.
