Misano: UAE’s Rashid Al Dhaheri has made history by securing the first-ever podium for a Middle Eastern driver in the Formula Regional European Championship, kicking off his 2025 campaign with a spectacular third-place finish at the season opener in Misano, Italy.

According to Emirates News Agency, having recently joined the prestigious Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Junior Team, Al Dhaheri stepped up from Formula 4 to the fiercely competitive Formula Regional category, the crucial bridge between junior racing and Formula 3.

The 2025 championship spans ten race weekends on iconic Formula 1 circuits such as Barcelona, Hockenheim, the Hungaroring, Monza, Zandvoort, Imola, and Red Bull Ring, offering young talents a proving ground for their future in top-tier motorsport.

The first round saw 26 drivers representing 15 countries competing on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a 4.2 km track renowned for its blend of high-speed corners and technical complexity. In Qualifying Group B, Al Dhaheri delivered an impressive lap time of 1:28.525, earning him a front-row start from P3 on the Race 1 grid.

In a fiercely contested race, Al Dhaheri was holding his position through the opening lap. With composure and strategic tire management, he consistently closed the gap to the front-runners, pushing relentlessly in the final laps. His charge culminated in a near pass on the penultimate corner, crossing the finish line just 0.3 seconds behind second place.

The championship continues in two weeks with Round 2 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.