The 2026 Formula Regional Middle East Trophy (FRME) season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with 11 elite teams set to battle it out on the track. Set to kick off in Abu Dhabi on January 16, the new season will mark the world debut of the highly anticipated Tatuus T-326, and with the arrival of top teams like Rodin Motorsport and Trident Motorsport, excitement is building.
11 teams set for 2026 season
In what promises to be a thrilling season, 11 of the world’s most respected motorsport teams have committed to the 2026 FRME Trophy. These teams include ART Grand Prix, CL Racing, G4 Racing, MP Motorsport, Pinnacle Motorsport, Mumbai Falcons Racing Ltd, R-ace GP, Rodin Motorsport, RPM Motorsport, Trident Motorsport, and VAR.
Notably, Pinnacle Motorsport, the series’ longest-serving team, returns after a victory at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix last month. This Irish-licensed team is known for its success in Middle Eastern and Asian motorsport. Mumbai Falcons Racing Ltd, an iconic Italian team with a history dating back to 1983, also returns, alongside fierce rivals ART Grand Prix, which has a long-standing legacy in Formula Regional.
Moreover, R-ace GP, a French team with a reputation for producing title contenders, returns to the series. After a brief break, MP Motorsport also makes a comeback to the Middle East championship. Competing alongside them is Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR), another Dutch team that has traditionally been one of MP Motorsport’s fiercest rivals.
Several teams are entering the FRME for the first time. Of particular interest is Rodin Motorsport, the British team previously known as Carlin, which is making its debut in Formula Regional. Rodin Motorsport has also set its sights on Europe’s Formula Regional Championship. Trident, a team with experience in Formula 2, Formula 3, and now Formula Regional, will compete against established rivals such as Mumbai Falcons, ART, MP, VAR, and Rodin.
Additional debutantes include G4 Racing from Switzerland, RPM Motorsport from Italy-Ireland, and CL Motorsport, another Italian team that made its debut in 2025.
World debut of the Tatuus T-326
The 2026 season will also showcase the world debut of the Tatuus T-326, a new-generation race car designed to take Formula Regional racing to the next level. The T-326 features significant advancements in performance and safety, powered by a three-cylinder, turbocharged Toyota engine developed by Autotecnica Motori and TOM’S. This new engine represents a significant leap forward in terms of power and efficiency.
As the 12-race season unfolds across four rounds, starting at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, competitors will enjoy substantial track time through testing, free practice, qualifying, and the races themselves. This intense schedule ensures that drivers receive valuable experience, making the series an ideal proving ground for young talent.
FRME’s strong legacy and rising stars
The FRME Trophy has consistently provided a platform for young drivers to showcase their skills and progress to higher levels of motorsport. From its inception in 2018, the series has witnessed the rise of now-F1 stars such as Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan, Zhou Guanyu, and Isack Hadjar. In 2023, Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed the title, fending off competition from future F1 talents such as Rafael Câmara and Taylor Barnard.
This legacy continues in 2024 with Tuukka Taponen securing the championship, while Arvid Lindblad and Evan Giltaire battled it out for the 2025 crown. These drivers represent just a glimpse of the talent that will take centre stage in 2026.
A global arena for talent
As the 2026 season unfolds, the FRME series will continue to attract young drivers from across the globe. The mix of established European teams and rising stars from the Middle East, China, and Japan will ensure a diverse and competitive grid. Top Speed-promoted Formula Regional Middle East has already become one of the most rigorous tests of young motorsport talent.
According to Davide de Gobbi, General Manager of Top Speed: “Formula Regional Middle East is proud to be the first series in the world to debut the new Tatuus T-326. The motorsport spotlight once again shines upon the Middle East, and our superb international line-up of teams and drivers can be relied upon to brilliantly showcase the capabilities of this exciting and innovative new race car.”
The 2026 season of the FRME Trophy is set to be a pivotal moment in the development of motorsport in the region, as both teams and drivers aim to make their mark on the world stage.
