FRME | 2026 | Round 3 | Dubai

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Qualifying for Round 3 of the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East (FRME) Trophy at the Dubai Autodrome delivered two intense and contrasting sessions, as clear skies and warm conditions replaced the damp challenges seen earlier in the season. Across Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2, constant lap time evolution, frequent track limits violations, and a red flag interruption ensured that neither pole position came easily. Ultimately, ART Grand Prix’s Taito Kato secured pole for Race 1, while Alex Powell emerged on top in a disrupted Qualifying 2 to claim pole for the later race.

The weekend also began with notable line-up changes. Reno Francot stepped in at CL Motorsport in place of Michael Belov, Emanuele Olivieri joined R-ace GP for Gerrard Xie, and Jesse Carrasquedo Jr replaced Christian Ho at MP Motorsport. After productive test sessions led by Kato and Maximilian Popov, and a competitive Free Practice topped by Andrea Dupé, Jules Roussel, and Olivieri, qualifying promised close competition—and it delivered exactly that.

2026 FRME Round 2: Dubai Autodrome: Qualifying 1

Qualifying 1 began at 08:50 local time, with Dion Gowda leading the field onto the circuit. Although 15 minutes sat on the clock, the drivers initially focused on tyre preparation rather than outright pace. Early sector times hinted at potential, particularly from Alexander Abkhazava, who soon set the first meaningful benchmark with a 2:01.673.

However, the order changed rapidly. Jules Roussel briefly went fastest with a 2:00.966, while Carrasquedo slotted into third. As grip improved and confidence grew, Abkhazava reclaimed the top spot with a 1:57.660, signalling a major step forward as lap times began to tumble.

Soon after, Roussel responded with a 1:53.888 to move back into P1, ahead of Dupé and Zhenrui Chi. Nevertheless, that advantage did not last. Gowda climbed to second before Maximilian Popov surged to the top with just over five minutes remaining, as the field continued to trade positions at a relentless pace.

Track limits soon became a decisive factor. Several drivers lost lap times, including Kabir Anurag, who fell dramatically down the order. Amid the chaos, Kato delivered a decisive 1:53.167 to claim provisional pole, narrowly ahead of Abkhazava. Kean Nakamura-Berta, Rashid Al Dhaheri, and Yuki Sano followed closely, all within striking distance.

In the final minute, Nakamura-Berta briefly topped the timesheets before losing his lap to a track limits violation. Consequently, with no one able to improve at the death, Kato remained fastest and secured pole position for Race 1.

Qualifying 1 Top 10

Taito Kato
Alexander Abkhazava
Kean Nakamura-Berta
Rashid Al Dhaheri
Yuki Sano
Emanuele Olivieri
Zhenrui Chi
Maximilian Popov
Jesse Carrasquedo Jr
Alex Ninovic

2026 FRME Round 2: Dubai Autodrome: Qualifying 2

Following Qualifying 1, attention quickly turned to Qualifying 2, where competition intensified further. While Kato entered as a favourite, several rivals looked poised to challenge. After brief set-up changes in the pit lane, a portion of the field returned to the track early, although the opening minutes again focused on preparation rather than lap time.

This time, however, the session changed abruptly. With just over ten minutes remaining, Popov stopped on track, triggering a Full Course Yellow that quickly escalated into a red flag. The stoppage compressed the session and placed immediate pressure on the remaining drivers once running resumed.

After the restart, the field rushed to generate competitive laps. August Raber set the early pace with a 1:53.844, but Andrea Dupé soon responded with a 1:53.178. Track limits once again intervened, stripping both drivers of their times and reshuffling the order.

As the clock dipped below four minutes, Abkhazava emerged as the driver to beat with a 1:52.810. Alex Ninovic and Kato followed closely, while Gowda and Reza Seewooruthun also featured inside the top five. Moments later, Sebastian Wheldon and Nakamura-Berta improved, keeping the fight for pole wide open.

Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Alex Powell produced a standout lap. He vaulted from the lower reaches of the timesheets to provisional pole with a 1:52.631. Yuki Sano improved as well but could only manage second-best pace.

Despite further attempts, no driver could dislodge Powell before the chequered flag. As a result, he secured pole position in Qualifying 2, ahead of Sano and Abkhazava, to cap off a dramatic and tightly contested session.