Colombian youngster Nicolás Baptiste Velasco has signed to drive for FA Racing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), the 16-year-old from Bogotá stepping up for his debut season in the category.

After a season and a half in Formula 4, Baptiste is the first to slot into one of three FRECA seats at the team fronted by double FIA Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso. The Colombian has already tested extensively with FA, appearing in FRECA post-season outings at the Red Bull Ring, Spa-Francorchamps, Barcelona, Paul Ricard and Mugello.

“I’m really happy to join FA Racing for my first year in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine”, said Baptiste, who is part of the ‘Colombia, Land of Athletes’ programme, “I worked well with the team during testing and can’t wait for the season to get going!”

“It’s a delight to welcome Nicolás to our team”, said FA Racing’s Paul Antony, “He has done well in his first full season of Formula 4 and is ready for his promotion to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. It was great to work with him in the winter tests, and I look forward to a solid first season together.”

Having said farewell to his karting career, Baptiste made his single-seater debut in a late-season round of the 2020 Spanish Formula 4 Championship before switching to the Italian F4 Championship for the final two rounds that year. Staying in the Italian series for 2021, the Colombian took a best finish of fifth place at the Red Bull Ring.