Salim Hanna, the 16-year-old Colombian driver, will make the jump to the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) in 2026 with Prema Racing. After an outstanding rookie year in Italian Formula 4 and E4 Championship, Hanna’s transition to FREC marks a key step in his career. In 2025, he claimed six overall podiums and 15 rookie class wins, cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in motorsport. His remarkable consistency and speed saw him finish at the front in several key races, making him a strong contender for future success.
Hanna’s journey began in Prema Karting, where he developed his skills. He went on to achieve significant success in karting, including wins in the WSK Open Cup and the Trofeo Delle Industrie. After making his single-seater debut in 2024 with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited in the Formula Trophy UAE, Hanna quickly adapted, showing strong performances and finishing in the top ranks.
The move to FREC with Prema Racing
In 2026, Hanna will continue his journey with Prema Racing as he steps up to the more competitive FREC. René Rosin, Prema Racing’s Team Principal, expressed his excitement for Hanna’s progression:
“We are delighted to see Salim continue his career with the team after joining back in his karting days. He had an impressive rookie season. He was quick and consistent from the start and made further progress, achieving remarkable overall results in addition to the rookie wins. Formula Regional is a challenging step, but we will do our best to support Salim in making the transition with the goal of achieving more success.”
Hanna, meanwhile, is eager to take on the new challenge and is grateful for the continued support from his family and team. He shared:
“I want to thank God, my family, and PREMA for the opportunity. I’m very happy to do one more year with the team and to go up to FREC. This will be a good step in my career, and the preparations have been going really well. I’m doing everything I can, working hard and learning as much as I can to put everything in place and get the job done next year.”
With his experience in Italian F4 behind him, Hanna is ready to step up to FREC. Furthermore, his combination of speed, consistency, and a strong desire to improve makes him a driver to watch in 2026. As a result, fans can expect him to challenge for top results and continue his rise through the motorsport ranks.
