Spotlight on Paul Ricard for the sixth round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine
The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine is in full swing, with action resuming at the Paul Ricard circuit this weekend for the sixth of the ten double-header events scheduled for the season, just days after the Mugello races.
In France, all eyes are on the battle at the top of the overall standings, which is more open than ever after the two Italian rounds have completely reignited the competition. Leading the charge as the driver to beat once again will be Prema Racing’s Rafael Camara. Midway through the season, Camara sits at the top with 179 points, achieved through four victories, three podiums, and three consecutive top-six finishes. The Ferrari Driver Academy standout has maintained a consistent and decisive pace, and is now being closely challenged, round after round, by another Maranello Academy driver: Tuukka Taponen. The Finnish R-ace GP driver has been enjoying a moment of glory that began to take shape at Zandvoort, where he secured his first series win, followed by two consecutive victories at the Hungaroring, culminating in a win in the first Tuscan race. These results have allowed him to close the gap to the Brazilian, trailing by just 29 points.
Brando Badoer, the young Van Amersfoort Racing driver, is aiming for his first win, having recently achieved five consecutive second-place finishes, showcasing his high competitiveness and determination in the series, and positioning himself as a rightful contender for the title.
At Le Castellet, special attention will also be on another Prema driver, James Wharton, who recently clinched his first win in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine at the second Mugello race, making him the first Australian to top the podium in this series. Wharton, with 81 points, is now ahead of Williams Academy driver Alessandro Giusti, who is still seeking his first win of the season, a feat he accomplished last year at the French circuit.
The rookie standings are also fiercely contested. Following strong performances at Mugello, a new leader has emerged: Pedro Clerot. The Van Amersfoort Racing Brazilian boasts 61 points, just two ahead of his teammate Ivan Domingues, who secured his first-class win in Tuscany. Trailing them are Evan Giltaire (ART Grand Prix), Noah Strømsted (RPM), and Enzo Deligny (R-ace GP), who also complete the top 10 in the overall standings.
Action at Paul Ricard is set to kick off tomorrow with two 50-minute Collective Test sessions scheduled for 11:43 AM and 4:51 PM.