The third round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship got underway at the Dubai Autodrome this weekend, with another triple-header of races. During the weekend, the traditional Formula Regional season-opening series clicked over the halfway point, with Dubai playing host to races 7, 8 and 9 of a total of 15.

Taito Kato started his weekend solidly, setting the seventh fastest time in the first free practice session and going fifth quickest in the first official test session.

On the sandy track, Kato recorded the 8th and 12th fastest times respectively in the two qualifying sessions to line up eighth on the grid for the first race. Here, Kato’s pace was consistent though it seemed like tyre management was again a key element - his fastest lap came on the sixth of 12 to take the chequered flag in ninth, and third Rookie.

That ninth-place finish meant he inherited second on the reversed-grid for race two, behind fellow countryman Jin Nakamura. By the first turn Kato had been demoted to third by Freddie Slater. This time his fastest lap came on just the second lap of the race as he fought the field. Setting the 8th fastest lap of the race, which was ultimately brought to finish under red flags, he finally crossed the line in 12th.

The final race of the weekend was also interrupted by two safety cars, but Kato was able to capitalise on these to climb from 12th to secure another top-ten finish, passing Ruiqi Liu on the final lap. In doing so, he moved up to tenth overall in the series standings. 

The next round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, the fourth of the series’ five, sees the series return to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit next weekend, 14-16 February.

©Dutch Photo Agency