2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship
The 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship was a multi-event, Formula Regional open-wheel single seater motor racing championship. The championship featured a mix of professional and amateur drivers, competing in Formula Regional cars. It was the second season of the championship, held in January and February of 2024.
Finnish driver Tuukka Taponen, driving for R-ace GP, won the Rookie Cup after the fourth round at Yas Marina with three races to spare. One race later, after the first encounter of the final weekend, he also won the overall Drivers' Championship, while his team clinched the Teams' Championship.
Teams and drivers
All drivers competed using identical Tatuus-built Formula Regional cars powered by a 270HP turbocharged Alfa Romeo engine and on Giti tires.[1]
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Race calendar
The 2024 calendar was officially announced on 21 August 2023. The Kuwait Motor Town rounds that featured in the 2023 season were removed from the calendar, with the championship consisting only of rounds held in the UAE.[21]
Round | Circuit | Date | Support bill | Map of circuit locations | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | R1 | ![]() (Corkscrew Circuit) | 13 January | Formula 4 UAE Championship Clio Cup Middle East | |
R2 | 14 January | ||||
R3 | |||||
2 | R4 | ![]() (Grand Prix Circuit) | 20 January | Middle East Trophy (6H of Abu Dhabi) Formula 4 UAE Championship Gulf Radical Cup Gulf ProCar | |
R5 | |||||
R6 | 21 January | ||||
3 | R7 | ![]() (Grand Prix Circuit) | 3 February | Asian Le Mans Series (4H of Dubai) Formula 4 UAE Championship | |
R8 | |||||
R9 | 4 February | ||||
4 | R10 | ![]() (Grand Prix Circuit) | 9 February | Asian Le Mans Series (4H of Abu Dhabi) Formula 4 UAE Championship Clio Cup Middle East | |
R11 | 10 February | ||||
R12 | |||||
5 | R13 | ![]() (Grand Prix Circuit) | 17 February | Formula 4 UAE Championship Gulf Radical Cup | |
R14 | 18 February | ||||
R15 |
Race results
Season report
First half
The second season of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship opened up around Yas Marina's Corkscrew Layout with last year's runner-up Taylor Barnard taking a pair of pole positions for PHM AIX Racing.[22] He held his first place ahead of R-ace GP's Tuukka Taponen all race, taking an unthreatened victory, while Taponen's teammate Martinius Stenshorne rose from seventh to the final podium spot.[23] The second race saw a very similar outcome, with the top two, Mumbai Falcons's Arvid Lindblad and R-ace GP's Zachary David, holding stationary all race, while Stenshorne once again climbed from eighth to third.[24] The third race saw a fight for the win for the first time when Stenshorne got past Mumbai Falcons's Ugo Ugochukwu at the start and then attacked Barnard for the lead. After two laps, he managed to get past and led Barnard and Ugochukwu home, before his move was judged to have been made off track. The ensuing penalty gave Barnard his second win, together with a six-point standings lead.[25][26]
When the championship moved to the circuit's Grand Prix Layout one week later, Taponen was the man to beat, taking two pole positions in qualifying.[27] The first race saw Saintéloc's Théophile Naël pitch Barnard into a spin at the start. Taponen converted his lead into a win, only threatened during a mid-race safety car restart by Stenshorne, who eventually finished second ahead of Pinnacle's Mari Boya.[28] Naël's penalty for his move on Barnard moved him up the reverse grid into third, from where he was able to profit off Ugochukwu's poor start to claim the race lead. PHM's Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak moved into second, while Ugochukwu continued dropping down the order, allowing Boya to take another podium. Ugochukwu then collided with his teammate James Wharton and retired.[29] Taponen was back on top for the final race, resisting pressure amid a last-lap safety car restart to take a second win ahead of Naël and Barnard. This saw him take the championship lead, while two pointless races saw Barnard drop to third.[30]
After a break weekend, the championship moved to Dubai Autodrome for round three, where Barnard and Mumbai Falcons's Rafael Câmara shared pole positions.[31] The pair started race one alongside each other, before Taponen overtook Câmara and started pressuring the leader. The pair battled all race, but Barnard held on to win. A similar battle for third between Câmara, Boya and Stenshorne ended with the former coming out on top.[32] MP Motorsport's Nikhil Bohra took the lead off Naël at the start of race two, with the Frenchman then dropping down the order before eventually retiring. This allowed Inthraphuvasak and PHM's Brando Badoer to take the podium spots.[33] The third race saw Taponen part of another battle for the lead. While his opponent was Câmara this time, the outcome was much the same. Câmara claimed the win, with Taponen second once again and Badoer in third. With Barnard only managing fourth after an overambitious move for the lead, Taponen extended his championship lead to 32 points.[34]
Second half
Teams and drivers then returned to Yas Marina, where championship challengers Barnard and Taponen took the pole positions.[35] The Brit resisted the Fin at the start of the first race and kept a steady gap to him from then on to take his fourth win of the year, with Evans GP's Costa Toparis five seconds back in third.[36] MP's reverse grid polesitter Bruno del Pino was almost wiped out at a safety car restart during the second race, when others assumed the race had already begun again. His suspension then broke one lap later, resulting in Câmara taking the lead and another safety car. The Brazilian converted this lead into a win, with Ugochukwu coming second and David in third.[37] The final race also had two safety car phases, but polesitter Taponen was unbothered by them to take another win. Wharton and David also both finished where they started, in second and third.[38] Barnard was now 50 points behind Taponen, who, with only 75 points still on offer, had already wrapped up the Rookie Cup and all but secured the championship.
Taponen only needed to finish inside the points to deny Barnard any chance at the championship, but he began the final weekend in Dubai with two pole positions in qualifying.[39] He claimed his championship in dominant fashion with a lights-to-flag victory in the first race, leading his teammate David home to also secure the Teams' Championship for R-ace GP. Ugochukwu came third, passing Badoer who had started second and dropped to fifth through the race.[40] The penultimate race of the season was then won by Barnard, who thereby took the runner-up position for the second year in a row by starting third, dropping to fifth and fighting his way back into the lead. Inthraphuvasak and Wharton completed the podium.[41] Taponen ended the season with his fifth win, the same amount as Barnard, by leading Badoer and Naël home in another dominant display. This saw him grow his final championship advantage to 79 points.[42]
With Barnard returning for a second stab at the FRMEC title after coming second in 2023, many already felt the championship a done deal after his double win in the first round. But when his momentum was then harshly stopped through the second round, Taponen emerged as a serious title contender. While both drivers took five wins each, the same tally as Antonelli the year before, Taponen's consistency saw him never leave the points-paying positions and only finish outside the top five twice. He amassed 255 points, 63 more than Antonelli in 2023, convincingly beating any opposition from the rest of the field.
Championship standings
Scoring system
Points were awarded to the top ten classified drivers.
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Drivers' championship
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Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest Lap † – Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as they completed more than 75% of the race distance. |
Rookie Cup
Pos | Driver | YMC1 | YMC2 | DUB1 | YMC3 | DUB2 | Pts | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | |||
1 | ![]() | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 315 |
2 | ![]() | 16 | 11 | 3 | 10 | Ret | 7 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 2 | Ret | 3 | 4 | 6 | 178 |
3 | ![]() | 4 | 24 | 7 | 5 | Ret | 5 | 28† | 12 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 172 |
4 | ![]() | 8 | 2 | 10 | 6 | Ret | 10 | 11 | 15 | Ret | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 164 |
5 | ![]() | 13 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 10 | Ret | 10 | Ret | Ret | 12 | Ret | 9 | 3 | 135 |
6 | ![]() | Ret | 21 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 3 | Ret | 15 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 2 | 134 |
7 | ![]() | 10 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 9 | 27† | 14 | 10 | 24† | 74 | ||||||
8 | ![]() | 19 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 27 | 24 | 14 | 65 |
9 | ![]() | 21 | 25 | 18 | 14 | 18 | Ret | 12 | 14 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 62 |
10 | ![]() | 9 | 4 | 16 | Ret | 15 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 7 | Ret | 23† | 15 | Ret | 16 | 41 |
11 | ![]() | 11 | 26† | 15 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 40 | |||||||||
12 | ![]() | 12 | 13 | 19 | DNS | 13 | 22 | 18 | 24† | 19 | 20 | 16 | Ret | 18 | 15 | 10 | 28 |
13 | ![]() | 15 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 26 | |||||||||
14 | ![]() | 16 | 12 | Ret | 12 | 11 | 17 | 19 | |||||||||
15 | ![]() | 19 | Ret | Ret | 11 | 10 | 13 | 18 | |||||||||
16 | ![]() | 24 | 19 | 14 | 19 | 11 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 25 | 14 | DNS | 16 | 13 | 21 | 15 | 16 |
17 | ![]() | 22 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 19 | Ret | 16 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 17 | Ret | 24 | 13 |
18 | ![]() | 22 | Ret | 15 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | Ret | Ret | 7 | ||||||
19 | ![]() | 16 | 16 | Ret | 4 | ||||||||||||
20 | ![]() | 18 | 17 | Ret | 21 | 14 | Ret | 2 | |||||||||
21 | ![]() | 22 | Ret | 18 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 2 | |||||||||
22 | ![]() | 25 | 23 | 20 | 23 | Ret | 25† | 27 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 21 | 22 | Ret | Ret | 0 |
23 | ![]() | DNS | Ret | 23 | 27† | 19 | 20 | WD | WD | WD | Ret | Ret | 20 | 25 | 22 | Ret | 0 |
Pos | Driver | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
YMC1 | YMC2 | DUB1 | YMC3 | DUB2 |
Teams' Championship
Ahead of each event, teams nominated two drivers that accumulated teams' points.
Pos | Team | Pts |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 410 |
2 | ![]() | 240 |
3 | ![]() | 223 |
4 | ![]() | 118 |
5 | ![]() | 83 |
6 | ![]() | 81 |
7 | ![]() | 22 |
8 | ![]() | 7 |
9 | ![]() | 0 |
Notes
- ^ Le is a Japanese driver competing under a British licence.
- ^ Lisle is an Australian driver competing under a British licence.
- ^ Barashi is a British-Israeli-Portuguese driver competing under a British licence.
- ^ Abkhazava is Russian-Georgian, but he competes under a Kazakh licence as Russian national emblems were banned by the FIA following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- ^ Stenshorne crossed the finish line first, but received a five-second time penalty post race for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, allowing Barnard to inherit victory.
References
- ^ "CAR - FR Middle East Championship Certified by FIA". en.fregionalme.com. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Spotlight on Middle East as formula for success returns in 2024 - FR Middle East Championship Certified by FIA". en.fregionalme.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
- ^ Wood, Ida (7 December 2023). "Ferrari junior Tuukka Taponen steps up to FRegional with R-ace GP". Formula Scout. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Feeder Series on X: "NEWS | 🇦🇪 Here is the provisional entry list for the FRMEC season opener at Yas Marina this weekend!"". X. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Formula Regional Middle East Championship Talent Showcase set for 2024 Season - FR Middle East Championship Certified by FIA". en.fregionalme.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
- ^ a b c d e "PREMA Racing set for early 2024 FRMEC, F4 UAE efforts". Prema Racing. 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ @phm.racing (2 December 2023). "🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Last but definitely not least: A very old face remains loyal to PHM Racing - Welcome back home, @taylorbarnard1!". Retrieved 2 December 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ "PHM Racing on Instagram: "ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Next news: @brandobadoer will also drive for PHM Racing in the upcoming @formularegionalme season"". Instagram. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ @phm.racing (25 November 2023). "🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨 Formula Regional Middle East announcement No. 2:Welcome (back) to the team, @tasanapol_" – via Instagram.
- ^ "PHM Racing on Instagram: "PHM Racing is happy to announce @ruiqiliu66 for the upcoming @formularegionalme season 2024."". Instagram. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "MP Motorsport on X: "Isaac Barashi will join us for the third, fourth and final round of the FRMEC season, starting this weekend in Dubai!"". X. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-04). "MP Motorsport signs Nikhil Bohra for FRegional Europe and Middle East". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ a b c "Saintéloc Racing on Instagram: "Saintéloc Racing is happy to announce its participation to the FRMEC and F4 UAE championships this year!"". Instagram. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Saintéloc Racing on Instagram: "Hi from Dubai ! 👋 We are thrilled to announce our lineup for the third round of our UAE Championships !"". Instagram. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Saintéloc Racing on Instagram: "Back in Abu Dhabi for round 4 ! 🔥"". Instagram. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d Wood, Ida (2024-01-06). "Pinnacle Motorsport reveals four-car line-up for FRegional Middle East". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ GP, Evans (2023-08-04). "Evans GP Returns to Asian Motorsports for 2023 & 2024 Championships". Evans GP | Official Web Site | Motorsport Team. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ "Feeder Series on X: "DRIVER ANNOUNCEMENT | 🇫🇷 Edgar Pierre joins Evans GP for the two final FRMEC rounds!"". X. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Evans, Joshua (2023-10-24). "Evans GP Signs John Bennett for 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship". Evans GP | Official Web Site | Motorsport Team. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ GP, Evans (2023-09-03). "Evans GP Welcomes Australian Karting Champion Costa Toparis". Evans GP | Official Web Site | Motorsport Team. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
- ^ "Compact calendar announced for second season of Formula Regional Middle East Championship - FR Middle East Championship Certified by FIA". en.fregionalme.com. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-13). "Barnard begins FRegional Middle East title attack with double pole". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2024-01-13). "Barnard dominates FRegional Middle East opener at Yas Marina". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Lopez, Alejandro Alonso (2024-01-14). "Lindblad wins in second FRegional Middle East race of 2024". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-14). "Stenshorne wins under investigation in Abu Dhabi to grow FRME lead". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-14). "Barnard inherits FRegional Middle East win as Stenshorne gets penalty". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-01-19). "Taponen denies Barnard pole twice in FRegional Middle East qualifying". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2024-01-20). "Taponen takes maiden FRME win after thrilling Yas Marina battle". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2024-01-20). "Nael scores his and Sainteloc's first FRegional win at Yas Marina". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2024-01-21). "Taponen takes FRME lead with dominant second victory at Yas Marina". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-03). "Barnard and Camara take poles in super tight FRME qualifying sessions". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-03). "Barnard resists Taponen for FRegional Middle East win in Dubai". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Lopez, Alejandro Alonso (2024-02-03). "Nikhil Bohra controls hectic FRME race two at Dubai". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-04). "Camara collects his first FRegional Middle East win in Dubai race three". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-09). "Taponen and Barnard share FRegional Middle East poles in Abu Dhabi". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-09). "Barnard trims Taponen's FRME lead by beating him to Yas Marina win". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-10). "Camara gets his second FRME win in safety car-filled race". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Lopez, Alejandro Alonso (2024-02-10). "Tuukka Taponen controls race three to extend FRME points lead". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-17). "Taponen takes two poles, title rival Barnard struggles in FRME qualifying". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Gascoigne, Roger (2024-02-17). "Taponen cruises to FRME title with commanding victory in Dubai". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-18). "Barnard takes seventh FRME win to be championship runner-up again". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2024-02-18). "Taponen ends FRegional Middle East season with another win". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
External links
- Official website
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