Monza once again delivered a race worthy of its “Temple of Speed” reputation as Freddie Slater secured the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) title with a composed and intelligent performance. The Briton entered Race 1 with a mathematical chance of sealing the title early and made it happen through patience, strategy, and nerve.
Meanwhile, Evan Giltaire impressed with another front-row start and a commanding early lead, Pedro Clerot continued Van Amersfoort Racing’s strong run with a well-earned podium, and Dion Gowda became the Rookie Champion after a remarkable comeback from the back of the grid.
As the paddock prepares for the final day of the season, anticipation builds for Sunday’s finale, with qualifying scheduled for 08:30 AM (CEST), broadcast live on ACI Sport TV (Sky channel 228) and the official FRECA YouTube channel.
Slater’s moment of mastery: Patience, timing, and triumph
Prema Racing’s Freddie Slater turned tension into triumph with a drive that balanced control and courage in equal measure. Starting from the front row, he shadowed pole-sitter Evan Giltaire through the opening laps, conserving his tyres and studying every movement of the car ahead. As multiple safety cars reset the race, Slater refused to take risks too early, waiting instead for the perfect opportunity. When it finally came, he executed the decisive pass at Parabolica — the move that secured both the win and championship.
Reflecting on his emotional triumph, Slater said: “It’s an incredible feeling. This season has had so many ups and downs, so to come back and win the title like this is just amazing. Coming into the race, I knew there was only a slim chance we could take it today, so the goal was to score strong points, but when the opportunity came, I took it. I stayed patient, tried to read Evan [Giltaire], and made the move at the right moment, that was the championship-winning move.”
A long-term connection between driver and team
The Briton also reflected on his long-term connection with Prema, highlighting how the team has played a vital role in his journey through the junior single-seater ranks.
“It’s been a special journey with Prema. They’ve made me feel like part of the family since the very beginning, through F4 and now FRECA, winning multiple titles together. I’m incredibly grateful to René, to my engineer Vincent who’s been with me for two and a half years, and to everyone at the team for the hard work and trust they’ve shown in me. I also want to thank my family and everyone who’s supported me along the way, this one means a lot.”
Slater’s words captured the weight of his victory — a moment that symbolised perseverance and poise under pressure.
Giltaire holds firm for second after commanding start
For Evan Giltaire, Monza was a test of endurance, composure, and learning. The ART Grand Prix driver began the day by storming to pole position after a near-perfect qualifying performance. As the lights went out, he made a strong start and controlled the early laps with confidence. However, as the race wore on and safety cars disrupted the rhythm, the Frenchman’s tyres began to suffer, forcing him to defend aggressively against a determined Slater.
Despite ultimately losing the lead, Giltaire remained proud of his effort. The French driver emphasised the positives, noting the team’s improvement and renewed competitiveness.
“I’m happy with another podium, even if it’s not the result we wanted after starting from pole following an incredible qualifying this morning. We’ve been coming back strong lately, and hopefully tomorrow we can go one step higher and fight for the win in the last race of the season.”
Even as fatigue and tyre wear set in, Giltaire kept the car under control and avoided errors. He explained the challenge of managing restarts and maintaining focus under constant pressure.
“It was a tough race with all the safety cars, especially while leading. I struggled quite a bit towards the end with tyre degradation, but I managed to bring it home in P2, so overall I’m satisfied.”
Looking ahead, he struck an optimistic tone, confident that the lessons learned would translate into improvement.
“We’ve learned a few things today that should help us in qualifying and in managing the tyres better for tomorrow’s race.”
Although the win slipped away, Giltaire’s consistency and resilience at Monza confirmed his potential as one of the brightest young prospects in European single-seaters.
Clerot keeps VAR momentum rolling with Monza podium
Van Amersfoort Racing’s Pedro Clerot continued his impressive campaign with another measured drive to the podium. The Brazilian started further back than he had hoped after a tricky qualifying session, but his racecraft shone through. While others faltered in the chaos of restarts and contact, Clerot remained composed and precise, avoiding mistakes and maintaining pressure on the leaders. His calm approach earned him a valuable third place, further strengthening VAR’s position in the championship.
After the race, Clerot expressed his satisfaction with both his result and the team’s progress.
“I’m happy to be back on the podium here at Monza. We didn’t quite have the pace to fight for the win today and I made a couple of small mistakes, but it’s still a strong result and we scored important points.”
He also spoke about how the team worked tirelessly to recover from a less-than-perfect qualifying session, emphasising the importance of small improvements across the weekend.
“Qualifying wasn’t ideal, but we know what to improve for tomorrow and I’m confident we can fight for another good result.”
However, what stood out most was Clerot’s joy in sharing the moment with his teammate, Dion Gowda, who had just clinched the Rookie Championship.
“It’s also great to share this moment with Dion after he secured the Rookie title. We’ve had a great season together, and I’m really proud of the team for all the hard work they’ve done. They truly deserve it.”
Gowda crowned Rookie Champion after inspired recovery
Dion Gowda produced a performance filled with grit, focus, and maturity to claim the 2025 FRECA Rookie Championship at Monza. The young Singaporean’s weekend began in unusual fashion, as he was forced to miss free practice for an academic exam — leaving him on the back foot heading into qualifying. Starting from 19th, Gowda faced a steep climb, yet he approached the challenge with calm determination and strategic precision. Lap by lap, he picked his way through the field, securing the points he needed to seal the title.
After the race, a delighted Gowda said: “It feels amazing to become Rookie Champion. It’s been a season full of ups and downs, but we worked really well as a team and I’m grateful to end it like this. Starting from P19 today wasn’t ideal, especially after missing free practice for an exam, but it’s Monza, anything can happen. I just focused on moving forward and managed to fight up into the points, which was really satisfying.”
Finally, Gowda paid tribute to those who helped him along the way, from engineers to family, who stood behind him throughout the rollercoaster season.
“Overall, it’s been a great season, and I want to thank Van Amersfoort Racing, my engineer Chris, my mechanics Guillaume and Elia, my sponsors, and my parents for all their support. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
Gowda’s achievement was more than a rookie title — it was a symbol of perseverance and growth. Moreover, his calm, analytical approach under pressure reflected a maturity that hints at an even brighter future within the European racing ladder.
A weekend of triumph and anticipation
The opening race of Monza’s FRECA finale showcased the perfect blend of skill, strategy, and storylines. Slater’s patience paid off with a championship victory for Prema, Giltaire’s pace kept ART in the fight, Clerot’s podium extended Van Amersfoort Racing’s consistency, and Gowda’s rookie title confirmed a new talent ready to rise.
With the final qualifying session at 08:30 AM (CEST), broadcast live on ACI Sport TV (Sky channel 228) and the official FRECA YouTube channel, Sunday’s race promises to bring this remarkable season to an equally dramatic close.
