We’re in a new year and some of the world’s best young, up and coming drivers are headed to the Middle East for their first races of the year.
‘Formula Middle Eastern Championship’ or ‘FRMEC’ and ‘Formula 4 Middle East’, formerly F4 UAE get under way this weekend and we’re afforded the opportunity to cast an eye over the next generation. Below, I’ve chosen five for you to keep an eye on!
Jin Nakamura - FRMEC
Entering his fourth single seater season, 18 year old Jin Nakamura can already boast a wealth of experience.
He starts 2025 fresh off a third place finish in Super Formula Lights and a run at Macau. He’s joined up with the established R-ace GP team and will hope impress in what is a strong lineup that also features McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu.
Sebastian Wheldon - F4 ME
The son of the late Dan Wheldon, Sebastian has moved from the US to race with PREMA this year, starting in F4 Middle East before racing in Italian F4.
He comes highly regarded, with Andretti backing, and with an expectation that he will do very well in new machinery.
Brando Badoer - FRMEC
Badoer, another son of a racing hero in ex-Ferrari driver Luca, may be one of the drivers to come into this series with a touch of extra pressure on their shoulders.
Already announced for an FIA Formula 3 campaign this year, with regular chargers PREMA, the expectation for the McLaren junior will be high and he’ll hope to be fighting at the front from the first green light. He’ll be racing with PHM.
Freddie Slater - FRMEC
Fresh from a dominant title winning Italian F4 campaign, F4 UAE title win, FIA F3 testing, racing in Macau and an announcement of a FRECA drive for 2025, Freddie Slater heads East for FRMEC after what he can call a highly successful 2024.
He’ll be racing with Mumbai Falcons in the Middle East, and will definitely be hoping to be a leading contender for the title having won the F4 equivalent last year. He could be a big part of Britain’s motorsport future.
Oleksandr Bondarev - F4 ME
Another F1 affiliated driver, Ukrainian sensation Bondarev, is an exciting prospect. He signed with Williams in 2023 after recovering from injuries sustained in a karting accident, he’s kicked on and continued to improve as he seeks to get a solid start to a first full season in single seaters.
With PREMA, he’ll be afforded time and opportunity to progress and potentially win races at this level, and the experience will serve him well ahead of his Italian F4 campaign.
📸 Image credits: Formula Regional Middle Eastern Championship, Jin Nakamura, Formula Motorsport Limited, F4 Italian Championship, Williams Racing.
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