Presentation of FRMEC 2023

Taking advantage of the winter break and in order to prepare for their respective season, many pilots choose to settle in the Middle East for a few weeks to compete in what was called the F3 Asia at the time. Since then, F3 Asia has changed a lot. FRAC (Formula Regional Asian Championship) in 2022, FRMEC (Formula Regional Middle East Championship) in 2023, the Asian championship offers an ideal playing field to get in shape but also to glean a few Super License points in case you are looking to go up Formula 1. In recent years, it has not been uncommon to see pilots of F2 participate in it for example as Guanyu-Zhou or Roy Nissany. But for this edition, the situation is different because there are more young participants than experienced ones who have an appointment in the Middle East.

FRMEC is exporting

Since the health crisis of 2020, the promoters of F3 Asia and the FRAC had chosen to organize a championship contested only between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. For FRMEC, they have decided to expand their field of action. After two editions exclusively reserved for Yas Marina and the Dubai Autodrome, the series will travel to Kuwait for two rounds.

Thus, the calendar for the 2023 edition will be divided between three circuits. Hostilities will begin this weekend (January 13/14) in Dubai as the curtain-raiser for the 24 Hours of the said circuit before the double Kuwaiti escapade (January 27-28 then 1^er-February 2). A second meeting will follow in Dubai (February 11-12) before the final in Abu Dhabi (February 18-19), which is only hosting the championship once this campaign.

Which drivers will be at FRMEC?

As for the drivers, two teams stand out by their line-up: Prema and Hitech GP. Among the Italians, all hopes will be placed on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, winner of F4 Italy and F4 Germany in 2022. Expected in FRECA with the trans structurealpine, the protégé of Mercedes will represent Mumbai Falcons (team whose technical support is operated by Prema) on the track just like his two future teammates in the European championship, Rafael Camara and Lorenzo Fluxà. An ideal training for them since they will also use the Tatuus T-318 later even if that of the Asian series is powered by Alfa Romeo and not Alpine.

Crowned in FRECA last season, Dino Beganovic will prepare his F3 campaign by competing in the first two meetings before giving way to Kirill Smal.

As for the English from Hitech GP, they also decided to come with heavy artillery. Expected in F2 with the British team, Jak Crawford will participate in the first three rounds just like his teammate Gabriele Mini who will play in F3 in 2023.

On the other hand, Sebastián Montoya and Daniel Mavlyutov will be in the Middle East from the start to the end of the FRMEC.

On the French side, only one representative is expected in the Middle East. This is Sami Meguetounif who will compete in the entire 2023 edition with Hyderabad Blackbirds who recently partnered with MP Motorsport for FRMEC.

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