Mini on top among maximum 40-car field

A staggering total of 40 drivers took part in last week’s two-day Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine test at Barcelona, and no fewer than 34 are already signed up for the season.

Top of the pile on both days was Sicilian Gabriele Mini, who is staying on at ART Grand Prix for a second year in FRECA. He edged out

Dutchman Kas Haverkort, who has moved to Van Amersfoort Racing for his sophomore season.

Top rookie was Matias Zagazeta, the Peruvian who finished runner-up in British Formula 4 last year. He was fastest in the final session of the test to go third overall with G4 Racing. Completing the top six were Prema Racing pair Paul Aron and Dino Beganovic (who are Mercedes and Ferrari F1 juniors respectively) and Trident rookie

Tim Tramnitz, who was runner-up in Italian and German F4 in 2021.

Sole British team Arden has an all-latin American line-up this year. Eduardo Barrichello, son of Rubens, was quickest of the trio, which includes Mexico’s reigning US F4 champion and Red Bull Junior Noel Leon, plus Paraguayan F4 ace Josh Durksen.