Photo: Topspeed
Formula Regional Europe champion Freddie Slater will start his 2026 in New Zealand as he joins M2 Competition to go for the FRegional Oceania title.
The 17-year-old will be embarking on his fifth year in car racing, which is also already confirmed to include a step up to FIA Formula 3 with Trident. He already has a podium from his three races in the championship.
Slater debuted in FRegional last year at the Macau Grand Prix, finishing 13th, and was FRegional Middle East runner-up at the start of 2025 with four race victories. His FREC campaign featured eight wins, six poles and seven fastest laps.
He also got FRegional-level experience at home in Britain’s GB3 championship, which resulted in two poles converted into two victories on debut, then another win and two second places in his nine-race run.
“Learning new circuits will keep the season exciting in New Zealand,” said Slater. “The racing will be close with lots of good drivers competing. Hopefully we can put on a good show for the fans worldwide that will be following.
“I’m definitely going to use my time in New Zealand for experience and general development as a driver so I can be as prepared as possible for the F3 season I plan to do in 2026.”
FRegional Oceania switches from being a championship to an FIA regional trophy next year, meaning its calendar condenses to four rounds and the number of FIA superlicence points it issues is reduced.
Slater is the first confirmed driver at a team for next season, and joins the most successful team in FRegional Oceania (which was previously known as the Toyota Racing Series). M2 has run 10 of the last 12 champions.