Round three of the Formula Regional European Championship got underway this weekend under inclement skies over Zandvoort, the Netherlands.

Taito Kato, driving for ART Grand Prix, quickly acclimatised to the mixed conditions, going fourth fastest in the wet Qualifying 1, Group B session. When combined with the times from Group A qualifying, Kato started 7th on the grid for the opening race.

Race one was a safety car-interrupted affair as spots of rain falling throughout the race proved tricky for some drivers. Settling into a rhythm as best he could in 9^th, Kato was looking to capitalise on the safety car restart. As the race restarted with seven minutes to go, Kato and Jin Nakamura came together at turn one and both slipped down the field, resulting in Kato crossing the line in 15^th position.

In race two, the conditions remained dry. Kato started 11th on the grid and made steady progress early to move into 9th. For much of the closing stages of the race he was locked in a battle for 8th with Dion Gowda, ultimately crossing the line just 0.3seconds behind him.

The next round of the Formula Regional European Championship will be held on Budapest, Hungary, on 5-6 July.

Ⓒ ACI Sport