Dino Beganovic
Debuting in Macau this year, the Formula Regional (FR) will now be the top race of the local Grand Prix.
Initial skepticism about the change from the F3 International cars, which raced in Macau only in 2019 and 2023, to the FR cars was based on the FRs’ being considered more “junior.”
However, Macau and the Guia Circuit have always been the launchpad for previously unknown names in junior motorsport.
This was highlighted in a video message from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, sent to Macau ahead of the debut of the race.
“This race has been a highlight for young drivers for a very long time,” he said.
“The cars will be different, but it will keep its spirit on bringing top teams and drivers together” to potentially join “the ranks of legends like Ayrton Senna or Michael Schumacher.”
Proving to be deserving of such an honor will be a group of 27 young racers, representing 15 different countries and regions and all five FIA (F3) Regional championships.
Although young and mostly unknown, some of these names are not a secret to those who follow motorsports closely.
Oliver Goethe
Alex Dunne
Some of the drivers have raced in Macau before, and have gained experience that might put them a few steps ahead of their competitors.
Among those names to watch is Ferrari Driver Academy racer Dino Beganovic.
He is a former Formula Regional European Champion (FRECA) and will be driving under the banner of SJM Theodore PREMA Racing, alongside Freddie Slater and Alexander Dunne.
Dino Beganovic
Both Beganovic and Dunne return to Macau, having raced in last year’s F3 World Cup.
Beganovic wants to top his best result of last year when he finished the Qualifying Race in the fourth position, while Dunne wants to finally rise to the top spot of the podium after being seconded by Luke Browning last year.
Slater raced in Macau last year but that was during the first weekend of the celebratory 70th anniversary GP in the F4 race.
Although finishing ninth in the final race, Slater showed great talent, topping the time sheets in both the Qualifying and Qualifying Race just behind race winner Arvid Lindblad.
Other names to look out for include Oliver Goethe (part of the Red Bull Junior Team program), Tuukka Taponen (Ferrari Driver Academy), and Ugo Ugochukwu (McLaren Driver Development Program).
Local racer Tiago Rodrigues will join the race, and this year will be the sole Macau representative in the races of the main program.
Rodrigues will be racing with Evans GP and teaming up with F4 Indian Champion Cooper Webster and Kai Daryanani.
Former racer and current FIA Single-Seater Committee president, Emanuele Pirro, said, “I am really happy to see so many of the most talented junior drivers and teams committed to the FIA FR World Cup.”
“This event has always been one of the toughest and most rewarding challenges on the pathway for young drivers as they progress towards the goal of Formula 1 and our other FIA World Championships,” he said.
“To have so many different former champions of F4 and Formula Regional coming to Macau really brings the spirit of this historic race.”
“I will be watching the weekend very closely, with a bit of nostalgia, and I am sure the same is true for all the Formula 1 teams.”
FR World Cup cars will go out on track for the first time today at 9:15 a.m. for the Free Practice 1 session, which will last for 40 minutes.
FR cars will return to the Guia Circuit later in the afternoon at 3:25 p.m. for the Qualifying 1 session.
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