REVIEW OF THE FORMULA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2025: THE FINAL YEAR OF ALPINE

The 2025 Formula regional was one of intrigue, with an incredible title battle and many young drivers having break out seasons. We will be reviewing all 10 teams and taking a look at the 45 drivers who competed this season, and how they did.

The season was the final one to be ran with Alpine engines before a switch to Toyota powered cars in 2026. The series will also become FIA ran, becoming an official part of the feeder series ladder and will see MP Motorsport return, and Rodin join.

1. R-ace GP

R-ace GP came into the season as an established front running team. They managed to secure the teams title on the final race of the season due to immense consistency. Even if they didn’t have a driver fighting for the overall title at the final round.

Enzo Deligny (P3) – The second year Frenchman was involved sporadically in the title question, however still showed his class and took P3 overall. Four wins and a further five podiums helped the team clinch the title. Deligny will move up to Formula 3 next year with Prema, where he will be expected to make an immediate impact towards the front.

Akshay Bohra (P6) – The Indian rookie had a first half of the season which was much about learning and getting used to the new car. In the second half of the season he showed his class securing his first win in the series. Bohra is expected to move to Super Formula Lights next season, swapping seats with Japanese driver Yuki Sano.

Jin Nakamura (P10) – Nakamura showed immense speed across the season, however was involved in a lot of incidents which caused his final standing position to be lower than what pace he showed. He managed a podium at Austria, and as expected the Japanese Toyota Junior will up to Formula 3 with Hitech TGR in 2026.

2. Prema

Prema came into the season aiming to retain the crown. However despite an incredible season by Slater the team were pipped to the top spot by R-ace.

Freddie Slater (P1) – Your drivers champion, Slater demonstrated the incredible speed and ability we already knew he had. The Brit secured eight wins across the championships 20 races and took the title at Monza with a round to spare. Slater will join Formula 3 with Trident for 2026, and is arguably favourite for the title despite being a rookie.

Rashid Al Dhaheri (P8) – The Emirati had an inconsistent season in which despite taking three podiums, failed to score in ten races in 2025. A switch to R-ace for next season could help Al Dhaheri fight for more wins in 2026.

Jack Beeton (P13) – A frustrating season for the Australian which started off well, he was unfortunately let down by a poor engine and dropped to P13. He will switch to Indy NXT for 2026, where he should fight for top positions.

Prema also ran Doriane Pin, Yuanpu Cui and Alex Powell in a fourth car, but none of them secured any points.

3. Van Amersfoort

The Dutch team had another excellent season, cementing them as a top team in the championship, and brought them the rookie title, along with Two overall victories

Pedro Clerot (P4) – Those aforementioned victories came courtesy of the second year Brazilian Clerot. Although P4 is an excellent effort, Clerot was hoping to be more of a threat to Slater’s title. He will move up to F3 with Rodin in 2026.

Hiyu Yamakoshi (P9) – After a really strong start to the season taking points in all of the first nine races, including two podiums. The Japanese drivers second half of the season failed to match the first half with just a single points finish. He will continue with Van Amersfoort but step up to F3 in 2026.

Dion Gowda (P12) – Your rookie champion, Gowda had a very solid first season in which he picked up points on seven occasions. It is widely rumoured he will switch to Rodin for 2026 as the team joins the championship for its new regulations.

4. ART GP

The French team failed to provide a car for their drivers to fight for the overall title with. However a very strong final round at Monza allowed them to sneak ahead of Trident for a P4 teams finish.

Evan Giltaire (P5) – A very disappointing year for one of the pre-season favourites, Giltaire was often let down by his machinery rather than his ability. He still managed to secure a win and a further four podiums. But was never a real title contender. His 2026 plans are still unknown however a switch to either Japan or America are being considered by the Frenchman.

Taito Kato (P7) – After an inconsistent start the Japanese driver really came into his own scoring in all off the last six races. He will make the step up to Formula 3 with ART next season, where we believe he could be a surprise package in the series

Kanato Le (P14) – The second season driver struggled with one lap pace, which often cost him the chance to score more points. He will also move up to Formula 3 with ART where he will be aiming to be a regular points scorer in 2026.

5. Trident

Coming into the year no one truly belived that Trident and Matteo De Palo could launch a title assault, the Italian squad had a much better season and will be hopeful to take their new found winning mentality into the new regulations.

Matteo De Palo (P2) – The ever consistent Italian swapped Sainteloc for Trident in his second year. He secured eleven podiums across the twenty races and was Slater’s biggest threat. A rare mistake costing him the chance of taking the title to the final race. He will continue with Trident in 2026 as he moves up to F3, where he will be aiming to beat Slater in equal machinery, on a bigger stage.

Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (P16) – Similar to Nakamura, the Thai driver showed a lot more pace than what his results suggested. Jem looked significantly improved from 2024 and will be hoping to carry that pace into 2026, where he will make is Formula 3 debut with Dams.

Riqui Liu (P18) – The Chinese driver had a difficult 2025. Despite this he managed to secure four points, three of which came at the end of the season, showing an upturn in pace. Liu’s plans are currently unknown for 2026, but we would not rule out a third season of FREC with a different team.

6. Sainteloc Racing

In what will be the French teams final year in single seaters, two podiums is a good haul to take home.

Nikita Bedrin (P11) – Those two podiums where taken by Russian Bedrin. Who stepped down from Formula 3 after two seasons there with Jenzer Motorsport and AIX. Bedrin showed his class against the big teams on several occasions and will be hoping to find a seat somewhere in 2026.

Saintelocs other two cars where predominantly driven by Ukrainian second year driver Yaroslav Veselaho and Dutch rookie Tim Gerhards. Maya Weug and James Egozi also drove a round each but none of the four managed to add to Bedrin’s total of 72 points.

7. CL Motorsport

The Chinese team made their debut this season, often rotating their seats to allow for crucial car development. Before taking to the track for the final few rounds with rookies

Chi Zhenrui, whose father owns the team, and Swiss Enea Frey. The pair are expected to race for CL in 2026.

Michael Belov (P15) – All of CL Motorsports 27 points where secured by the experienced Russian Belov. Who competed in nine out of the ten rounds. Similar to Bedrin budget issues have plagued what is a very capable driver from climbing the ladder further. However 2025 allowed Belov to show his class again.

The other drivers who took part for the team were: Maceo Capietto, Zachary David and Valerio Rinicella.

8. RPM

The Irish team had their weakest season since joining the series, part of the reason being the constant changing of drivers setting a series record of 11, however still showed flashes of excellent pace. They will be hoping to return to the front of the midfield in 2026.

Giovanni Maschio (P17) – One driver who competed the full season however was the third season Italian. Maschio had his best season to date securing 6 points overall. It is currently not know what Maschio will compete in, in 2026.

Rookie Ean Eyckmans and Dutch driver Reno Francot also scored points for the team in their rounds and are both in contention for a seat at the team next season. However both may choose to race in Spains Eurocup 3.

Enzo Peugeot, Enzo Yeh, Kacper Sztuka, Tomass Stolcermanis, Santiago Ramos, James Egozi and Jan Przyrowski all competed for the Irish team in 2025 also. In 2026 Yeh is expected to join Motopark in EuroFormula Open.

9. G4 Racing

A difficult season for the French outfit cumulated in just a single point scored, which was only a P13 in the final round for Edu Robinson, aided by multiple guest drivers finishing ahead. G4 confirmed in late 2025 that they will continue in FREC into the new generation of cars and will be aiming to return to the podium in 2026

Edouard Borgna (P31) – G4s only full time driver was French rookie Borgna, who took a best finish of P17 at Monza. He is expected to remain with G4 for a second season in 2026. Where he will be aiming to score points.

Saqer Al Maosherji, Kacper Sztuka, Enzo Richer and the aforementioned Edu Robinson all took part for the French outfit. It is unlikely at this moment that any of them will return to the series in 2026.

10. AKCEL GP

The final team we will look at is new team to the grid AKCEL. The squad competed in the first 4 rounds, before skipping round 5, returning for round 6. Then abandoning the season completely. They will not return in 2026.

Aditya Kulkarni, Saqer Al Maosherji (who later raced for G4) and ex F3 driver Javier Sagrera competed for the squad in 2025, however failed to pick up any points.