R-ace GP has confirmed Gerrard Xie for the opening two rounds of the 2026 Formula Regional Middle East (FRME) Trophy. The Chinese driver will undertake a short winter programme as part of his continued development alongside his FIA Formula 3 commitments.
Early dominance in Chinese single-seaters
Xie first attracted widespread attention in 2022 after delivering a dominant campaign in the F4 Chinese Championship. Throughout the season, he controlled the standings and ultimately secured the title with one of the largest margins in the series’ history. Furthermore, he claimed multiple pole positions, race victories and fastest laps. At the same time, he also captured the Formula Renault Super Challenge crown, thereby underlining both his adaptability and raw pace across different platforms.
Transition to European competition and beyond
Xie moved to Europe in 2023 and contested the GB3 Championship with Hillspeed. He faced a challenging learning curve but gained valuable experience across unfamiliar circuits. He returned to the series in 2024 with Hitech Pulse-Eight, further refining his racecraft against a deep field of international drivers.
Alongside his European campaigns, Xie competed in the 2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship with M2 Competition. There, he delivered immediate results, securing pole position and race victories, which demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to Formula Regional machinery.
Xie stepped up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2025 with Hitech TGR, continuing his steady ascent through the single-seater ranks. The category exposed him to higher technical and competitive demands, which he will now carry into his winter programme.
Targeted winter preparation
By contesting the opening two rounds of the 2026 FRME Trophy, Xie will gain valuable mileage in the new Formula Regional car under race conditions. Thus, the programme allows focused preparation without overextending his calendar. Therefore, his short-term role adds depth and competitiveness to R-ace GP’s campaign while supporting his long-term progression at the highest junior levels. He will line up alongside Mercedes Junior Rashid Al Dhaheri and the Toyota GAZOO Racing-supported Yuki Sano.
