Ary Bansal to make Formula Regional European Championship debut

India's Ary Bansal will race at the 2026 Formula Regional European Champion (FREC) finale at Hockenheim this weekend, September 11-13. The 16-year-old from Bengaluru is currently competing in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, where he stands third overall. This will be his first time racing the Tatuus T-326 single-seater. Bansal is the first Indian driver to win the GB4 Championship. He has built an impressive record since making the step up to single-seater racing, including a successful karting career. Last year, he became the first Indian driver to win the GB4 Championship, finishing the season with four wins and 11 podiums. He also competed in six rounds of the FIA British F4 Championship last year and represented India at the inaugural FIA F4 World Cup. This year, Bansal has secured a win and four further podium finishes in the Italian F4 Championship. His FREC outing with CL Motorsport represents another step up the single-seater ladder. Bansal expressed his excitement to be joining CL Motorsport at Hockenheim, saying it's a valuable opportunity to gain experience at the Formula Regional level and step into a new car. He looks forward to getting on track, building throughout the weekend, and maximising every session. Hockenheim will host the final round of the 2026 FREC, which has seen five different drivers lead the standings. The final round will be a four-way showdown, with Emanuele Olivieri leading by 20 points from Sebastian Wheldon. Kean Nakamura-Berta is third overall, just five points behind Wheldon, while Rashid Al Dhaheri is fourth overall, another 10 points adrift.