The fourth, and penultimate, round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship returned to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit over the weekend, which played host to another triple-header of races, as is the series’ usual format.

With a pair of sevenths in the two qualifying sessions, Taito Kato lined up on the fourth row of the grid for the opening race. In an interrupted affair in which there were two safety cars, the Honda Racing School graduate and reigning French F4 Champion slipped to 11th at the chequered flag.

That gave him a starting position of 11th for the second race, which included another period under the safety car. Locked in a battle with fellow countryman Jin Nakamura, Kato ultimately crossed the line just outside the points in 13th.

In the final race of the weekend, Kato started seventh again, owing to his performance in the second qualifying session. Repeating his performance from the first race of the season, also at Yas Marina, he climbed one position to finish sixth, equalling his second-best result of the season. Kato’s best result remains his third place in round two.

The final round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship visits Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit on 26-28 February, as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship round.

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