 | |
| Category | Formula Regional |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe |
| Constructors | Tatuus |
| Engine suppliers | Renault |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Drivers' champion |  Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
| Teams' champion | Prema Racing |
| Official website | Official Website |
 Current season | |
The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) is a FIA-certified regional European Formula 3 racing series. On 12 October 2018, it was announced that the Italian autosport regulator Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) and karting promoter WSK would organize the inaugural year of the championship in 2019.[1] Their bid was chosen over Renault Sport's bid with the same chassis, who attracted fewer votes from Single-Seater Commission members.[1] Following the 2020 season, the Formula Renault Eurocup merged with the Formula Regional European Championship to become the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.[2]
The championship's first season featured eight rounds on the circuits across Europe with half of them in Italy.[3] Like other Formula Regional championships, it serves as a development series as part of the FIA Global Pathway, and is primarily contested by young drivers seeking a professional racing career. The driver champions receive FIA Super License points. The series is intended to be a stepping stone between Formula 4 and the international FIA Formula 3 Championship.[4] Until 2024, while no Formula Regional Europe driver had yet reached Formula One, many FRECA drivers had subsequently competed in its direct feeder series, the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be the first driver from the series to make it into Formula One, scheduled to drive for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team starting from the 2025 Formula One season.[5][6]
- ^ a b Wood, Elliot (12 October 2018). "Italian bid beats Renault to run European regional F3 series". formulascout.com. Formula Scout. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ Smith, Luke (31 October 2020). "Formula Regional Europe merges with Renault Eurocup for 2021". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Allen, Peter (2 November 2018). "Prema commits to Italian-promoted European Regional F3 championship". formulascout.com. Formula Scout. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- ^ "The Championship". Formula Regional by Alpine. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ Osten, Phillip van (31 August 2024). "Mercedes confirm Antonelli for 2025 F1 seat alongside Russell". F1i.com. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Iversen, Patrick (31 August 2024). "Mercedes F1 promotes Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2 September 2024.