Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine heads to Barcelona for penultimate showdown of 2024
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a staple on the Formula 1 calendar, plays host to the penultimate round of the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. As the ninth of ten double-header events, the 4.675 km track will witness another fierce battle in one of Europe’s most competitive single-seater series.
At the forefront of the championship fight, Rafael Camara (Prema Racing) leads with 239 points, while Tuukka Taponen (R-ace GP) trails with 178 points. Both drivers, members of the Ferrari Driver Academy, are seeking redemption after a point-less weekend at the Red Bull Ring, adding to the intensity of this crucial Spanish round.
Chasing the two FDA stars are Brando Badoer (Van Amersfoort Racing) and James Wharton (Prema Racing), sitting third and fourth in the standings, respectively. Badoer secured a third-place finish in Austria, while Wharton made significant progress by winning Race 1 and clinching fifth in Race 2. With just six points separating them, the battle for the final spot on the championship podium is heating up. Alessandro Giusti (ART Grand Prix), a member of the Williams Academy, is also a driver to watch after a strong second half of the season. With two victories and a podium, Giusti sits fifth, just a single point behind Wharton.
The rookie classification remains tight as RPM’s Noah Strømsted leads the way, followed closely by Evan Giltaire (ART Grand Prix). The fight for rookie honors is further bolstered by the presence of VAR drivers Pedro Clerot and Ivan Domingues, as well as Red Bull Junior Team’s youngest competitor on the grid, Enzo Deligny (R-ace GP), who completes the top ten in the overall standings.
Adding to the excitement, KIC Motorsport welcomes back Hoang Dat Sawer, alongside Enzo Scionti, while American Jett Bowling makes his European racing debut with G4 Racing, promising fresh faces to the grid.
The action begins on Friday with two 50-minute Collective Test sessions at 9:48 and 15:15. Saturday’s schedule kicks off with Qualifying 1 at 10:20, followed by Race 1 at 15:05. On Sunday, Qualifying 2 will take place at 10:10, leading into Race 2 at 16:20. Fans can catch all the sessions live on the championship’s official YouTube channel.