Following the first official outing of the season at Hockenheim, teams and drivers in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) now shift focus to the next phase of preparation. 2026 FREC testing action resumes at the Circuit Paul Ricard, where competitors will take part in two further days of collective testing on 30–31 March.
This crucial test marks another step towards the highly anticipated season opener in Spielberg at the end of April. Furthermore, teams will complete their final pre-season preparations during an additional test over the Easter weekend at the Austrian venue.
Intensive programme at Hockenheim sets the tone
Last week’s Hockenheim test provided a valuable opportunity for all ten expected teams to gather early data. Running the second-generation Tatuus T-326 car, drivers experienced both dry and wet conditions, allowing them to establish important performance benchmarks.
Over the course of two days, the field completed an impressive 2,515 laps, covering more than 11,500 kilometres. In total, 30 drivers participated, underlining the depth and competitiveness of the 2026 grid.
Seventeen-year-old Norwegian Marcus Saeter, representing G4 Racing, delivered the standout performance on day one. He set the fastest overall lap time of 1:34.370 during the afternoon session, finishing 0.339 seconds clear of his team-mate Saqer Almaosherji, who had earlier led the morning session.
This early pace positions Saeter as one of the drivers to watch heading into the new campaign.
On the second day, the competitive order shifted. Reno Francot of CL Motorsport topped the timesheets with a lap of 1:34.500. Meanwhile, Rashid Al Dhaheri of R-ace GP had set the early benchmark in the opening session with a 1:34.589.
In addition, Alexandre Munoz of ART Grand Prix proved the most industrious driver across the test, completing a total of 186 laps and gathering extensive data for his team.
Focus turns to southern France as FREC continues 2026 testing at Circuit Paul Ricard
With valuable mileage already accumulated, attention now turns to Paul Ricard. Teams will aim to refine setups, evaluate performance gains and further understand the capabilities of the new-generation car.
As the pre-season programme intensifies, every lap becomes increasingly significant. Consequently, the upcoming sessions in France will play a key role in shaping expectations ahead of the opening round in Spielberg.
