The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine heads to Imola for the decisive part of the season
The Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine is set to return to action this weekend at Imola, following the summer break, for the seventh round of the season. The circuit, nestled along the banks of the Santerno River and renowned as a prestigious venue for one of the rounds of the Formula 1 calendar, is ready to host another thrilling weekend. This event will further shape the intense championship battle organized by ACI Sport and Alpine Racing.
All eyes are on the three-way battle for the top spot in the standings, with current championship leader Rafael Camara from Prema Racing in the spotlight. The Brazilian driver, with an impressive 210 points to his name, has demonstrated incredible consistency by scoring in every race, notching up five wins, including the first race at Paul Ricard, and three podium finishes. Behind him is another Ferrari Driver Academy talent, Tuukka Taponen (R-ace GP), who trails by 50 points. The Finn has shown he has all the tools to challenge for the series title, with four victories and numerous strong finishes, positioning him as Camara’s primary rival.
However, Italian driver Brando Badoer, who is seeking his first win of the season on home soil this weekend, should not be overlooked. Racing for Van Amersfoort Racing, Badoer has been one of the most consistent performers, securing five consecutive second-place finishes and a third-place finish in the first race at Le Castellet. Like Taponen, Badoer was forced to retire in the second race in France following a collision that left both drivers point-less. Despite this, they remain in the hunt for the title.
Fourth in the standings is Alessandro Giusti (ART Grand Prix), who heads to the Imola circuit off the back of his first win of the season at his home track of Paul Ricard. The Williams Academy driver has bounced back after a strong showing in France, and with two third-place finishes at Zandvoort, he now holds 105 points. Giusti will need to keep an eye on Australian James Wharton (Prema Racing), who sits fifth in the standings. Wharton has had a season of highs and lows but has firmly established himself as one of the leading figures of 2024, highlighted by an unforgettable victory at Mugello.
The rookie battle has been particularly fierce, with Ivan Domingues (Van Amersfoort Racing) leading the way, followed closely by Evan Giltaire (ART Grand Prix), Noah Strømsted (RPM), and Pedro Clerot (Van Amersfoort Racing), all separated by just 12 points. These drivers currently occupy positions six through nine in the overall standings.
Additionally, Maya Weug makes her return to the series, having made a name for herself in the rookie standings in 2023 with KIC Motorsport. This season, she’s been a standout in the Formula 1 Academy, where the Ferrari Driver Academy driver holds fifth place in the standings.
The weekend schedule at Imola kicks off on Friday at 9:45 and 13:50 with two 50-minute Collective Tests. On Saturday morning, the first qualifying session will take place at 8:30, setting the grid for Race 1 in the afternoon at 15:25. On Sunday, the second qualifying session will be held at 8:30, followed by Race 2 at 13:40. As usual, the qualifying sessions and races will be streamed live on the championship’s official YouTube channel and broadcast worldwide, delivering the excitement and spectacle of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine to a global audience.