Van Amersfoort Racing confirmed the signing of Rashid Al Dhaheri for its 2027 FIA Formula 3 lineup on Thursday, marking the 18-year-old as the first driver from the United Arab Emirates to reach the series. The move comes after Al Dhaheri finished fourth in this year’s Formula Regional European Championship, where he secured three wins and eight podiums while competing for R-Ace GP. According to the team’s announcement, the Emirati driver will participate in post-season testing to prepare for his debut campaign at the international level. The development also means the UAE will have two representatives on the 2027 grid, as Keanu Al Azhari signed with Hitech GP around the same time, a first for the country in the category.
Al Dhaheri, a member of the Mercedes Junior Team since March 2025, began his single-seater career in 2023 after accumulating karting titles that included multiple WSK Champions Cup and Super Master Series OKJ honours in 2021. He competed in the Italian F4 Championship for two seasons, achieving a fourth-place result in the 2024 UAE F4 standings alongside his European efforts. Speedsport Magazine career records show he progressed to Formula Regional competition in 2025, finishing eighth in his rookie FREC season before improving to fourth overall this year with consistent front-running performances. The Mercedes programme graduate has described the F3 opportunity as a key milestone toward his goal of representing the UAE in Formula 1.
In a statement released by Van Amersfoort Racing, Al Dhaheri said, “I’m very proud to be taking the next step into FIA Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing. It is an important milestone in my journey, but I know the hard work is only beginning. I’m proud to represent the UAE and the wider region at this level, and I’m looking forward to learning, improving and giving everything I have on and off the track. Every step has to be earned, and my focus now is on preparing as strongly as possible for 2027. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped make this opportunity possible.” The comments reflect his progression through increasingly competitive formulae since his karting days that started at age three following a visit to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Brad Joyce, team principal for Van Amersfoort Racing, stated in the same announcement that the squad looked forward to welcoming Al Dhaheri after his strong Formula Regional performances. Joyce added that the driver’s three wins and eight podiums in a competitive field provided a solid foundation for the step up to FIA Formula 3. The team principal noted that preparation during post-season tests would focus on integrating Al Dhaheri into the programme for his first full season in the category. FIA Formula 3 data indicates the series serves as a critical development rung for drivers targeting higher formulae, with several graduates advancing to Formula 2 and eventually Formula 1.
The Emirati driver’s path aligns with broader growth in Middle East motorsport talent pathways, as evidenced by his selection as the first regional driver for the Mercedes junior programme. According to his official biography, Al Dhaheri’s early karting success in the UAE and Italy laid the groundwork for his entry into FIA-sanctioned events, where he has competed in more than 30 F4 race weekends. This latest signing builds on his 2026 FREC results that at one point saw him lead the standings, including a breakthrough as the first Emirati to top an FIA championship table after Round 3 at Spa-Francorchamps. Van Amersfoort Racing has positioned the partnership as an opportunity to build on such momentum in the international arena.
Al Dhaheri’s debut will add to the growing visibility of GCC drivers in European single-seater racing, where regional talent has increasingly secured seats in feeder series. Public records from the FIA show his consistent participation across Italian F4, Euro 4 and both European and Middle East Formula Regional campaigns since 2023. The 2027 season will test his ability to adapt to the more powerful machinery and tighter competition margins that characterise FIA Formula 3, a championship that has launched numerous current Formula 1 competitors. Team statements emphasised the collaborative preparation phase ahead to ensure a competitive entry.
