Abu Dhabi, February 19, 2023: Mercedes Formula 1 protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the inaugural Formula Regional Middle East (FRMEC) champion during another thrilling weekend of action in the final round at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The 16-year-old Italian didn’t win any races, although he did take the chequered flag first in one of them. But a penalty for a collision with main title rival Taylor Barnard as they battled for the lead in race one converted victory into no points for Antonelli, and kept things at boiling point overnight before the deciding two races on Sunday.

The Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) will make history as the first single-seater series to race at the new 5.609km Kuwait Motor Town (KMT) this week. Alongside the F4 UAE Championship, the two series will debut open-wheel competition at the impressive, multi-discipline USD162 million motorsport facility with a combined grid just shy of 70 cars.