Kimi Retains Formula Championship Lead with Giti Power During Kuwait Debut

The inaugural Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Certified by FIA (FRMEC), took place at the newly revealed Kuwait Motor Town, a venue boasting an 8,000-seat capacity.

This series of events showcased thrilling racing, with Dino Beganovic, Taylor Barnard, and Sami Meguetounif securing victories in the three races. Despite not winning any races, Andrea Kimi Antonelli emerged as the series leader, continuing his strong performance from the opening round at Dubai Autodrome.

The state-of-the-art $162 million Kuwait Motor Town circuit provided a charming backdrop for the races. In the opening race, 19-year-old Swede Dino Beganovic, starting from ninth, swiftly took the lead after just a few corners and maintained his position despite a red flag caused by a first-corner collision.

He finished ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Taylor Barnard initially in third but demoted to a penalty for the first-lap incident, allowing PHM Racing’s Dufek to claim the final podium spot.

Race 2 saw Rafael Villagómez initially leading from the reversed grid but losing the position to Nikhil Bohra, who briefly held the lead before Swiss driver Dufek clinched victory.

Remarkably, Barnard moved from 14th on the grid to secure a PHM Racing 1-2 finish, overtaking Bohra and Rafael Câmara. Antonelli suffered a suspension failure and Beganovic finished outside the points after a pit stop for a new front wing.

In the final race, Sami Meguetounif led from the pole position, marking a remarkable achievement for the Hyderabad Blackbirds with MP Motorsport. Meguetounif held off a strong challenge from Antonelli, who settled for the Rookie Cup, while Beganovic finished fifth.

As a result, Antonelli remains the championship leader, with Beganovic in second place, trailing by 12 points, and Barnard in third, 19 points behind the leader.

The third round of the championship, featuring races 7 to 9, is scheduled to take place at Kuwait Motor Town from January 31 to February 1, 2023. Giti Tires expressed enthusiasm for supporting the debut of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship.

The challenging conditions of Kuwait’s hot and sandy roads, which can exceed 50°C in summer, provided a rigorous test for Giti tires. Chris Bloor, Giti Tire’s Executive Director of International Sales & Marketing, highlighted how the championship emphasizes results and performance both on the track and in everyday driving.