Photo: ACI Sport
While the Formula Regional European Championship’s 2026 calendar is not yet published, recent paddock gossip has revealed what changes are expected.
Delays in formalising the agreement between FREC promoter ACI Sport and the FIA to collaborate on organising the championship going forward has subsequently prolonged negotiations with circuits but teams have already received an eight-round draft calendar.
That would end a five-year run of 10-round seasons, and Formula Scout understands nations are now limited to two rounds per year. ACI operates from Italy, which has appeared at least three times on the calendar in all previous seasons.
The draft calendar retains Monza but drops Imola and Misano for Mugello, which had featured each year until 2025.
Hockenheim, Paul Ricard, the Red Bull Ring, Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort will be retained, and it is believed Barcelona will be off the calendar for the first time as FREC was unable to secure a suitable slot to race there.
The Hungaroring is likely to be absent as GB3 retains its position supporting Euroformula’s event there, while Germany could have two rounds as the Nurburgring is touted to join. It and Hockenheim’s round are expected to support the DTM.
In 2021, FREC planned to visit the Nurburgring but severe flooding in the Eifel region made the track unavailable and it was swapped out for Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit. It would therefore debut next year.
FREC has long sought a return to Formula 1’s support bill, having started its 2021 season with three rounds on its undercard and racing in Monaco again in 2022. Championship partner Renault then had to cede that support slot to FIA Formula 3.
While being in F1’s 2026 support paddock appears unattainable, FREC’s increased support from the FIA is likely to add pressure to achieve its ambition.
Despite a reduced calendar length, FREC will continue to have a 20-race season. Four rounds will feature a third race, which will be the first reversed-grid encounters in championship history.
The top 12 from the first qualifying session will be reversed to form the grid, with the aim of helping drivers adjust to the format used further up the ladder in FIA F3.
Formula Scout understands qualifying would likely be shifted to Friday afternoons, at least for the triple-headers.
A joint announcement by FREC and the FIA before this season’s penultimate round at Hockenheim named the 10 teams that will compete in 2026. That had one notable change from a draft list circulated to teams, as Michael Meadows’ Argenti Motorsport outfit had been set to join and replace G4 Racing.
Argenti competes primarily in karting and British Formula 4, and expanded into GB3 this year in partnership with Prema.
G4 has raced in FREC since 2021, won five races but endured a tough 2025 in which it scored one point. Team manager Adrian Munoz explained that they and rivals were surprised by their initial omission, and were informed of the changed decision days before the announcement. G4 then submitted its 2026 entry fees immediately.