Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri will compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2027 after signing with Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing. Announced on 15 October 2026, the move follows his progress through karting, Formula 4 and Formula Regional. His promotion adds to the growing presence of Emirati talent in international single-seater racing.
- Location: International FIA Formula 3 Championship
- Team: Van Amersfoort Racing
- Status: Confirmed for the 2027 season
- Who is affected: Rashid Al Dhaheri and UAE motorsport fans
- Motorsport impact: Another Emirati driver progresses to an international championship supporting Formula 1 weekends
- What’s next: Al Dhaheri is expected to make his F3 debut in Bahrain in March 2027
Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri will join the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2027, following an announcement by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team on 15 October 2026. The 18-year-old will compete for Van Amersfoort Racing, a Dutch team known for developing young drivers.
The move takes Al Dhaheri one step closer to the upper levels of international motorsport after several seasons in junior racing categories. As a member of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Team, he will continue his development in a championship that runs alongside Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends.
His signing is also part of a wider milestone for Emirati motorsport, with another UAE driver, Keanu Al Azhari, announced for the 2027 F3 season earlier in October.
Why Is Rashid Al Dhaheri Joining FIA Formula 3?
FIA Formula 3 is an international single-seater championship designed to help young drivers develop the skills and experience needed to progress through the motorsport ladder.
The series runs as part of selected Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, placing its drivers in the same international racing environment as Formula 1 and Formula 2 competitors. The championship features 30 drivers across 10 teams, creating a competitive field for emerging talent.
For Al Dhaheri, the move follows his development through Formula 4 and Formula Regional. Racing in F3 will give him another opportunity to demonstrate his pace, consistency and ability to compete against drivers from different countries.
However, reaching Formula 3 does not guarantee a future Formula 1 seat. Drivers must continue to deliver strong results and secure opportunities as they progress through the junior categories.
What Is Rashid Al Dhaheri’s Racing Career So Far?
Al Dhaheri began his motorsport journey in karting in the UAE before moving into international competition. His early career included victories in World Series Karting competitions and the Macau International Kart Grand Prix.
He progressed to Formula 4 in 2023, recording five victories and 14 podium finishes across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. These results helped him move into Formula Regional in 2025, a more advanced category in the development pathway towards Formula 3.
In 2026, Al Dhaheri achieved another milestone by becoming the first Emirati driver to win a Formula Regional race at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
His 2026 campaign also included three victories and eight podium finishes in the Formula Regional European Championship, alongside a pole position and a fastest lap. He also finished as vice-champion in the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy.
The results have strengthened his position as one of the UAE’s emerging motorsport talents and led to his next step with Van Amersfoort Racing.
What Is Van Amersfoort Racing Known For?
Van Amersfoort Racing is a Dutch motorsport team that competes in junior single-seater championships. It has helped develop several drivers who later reached Formula 1.
Among its former drivers are Max Verstappen, who went on to become a four-time Formula 1 World Champion, and Charles Leclerc, who progressed to Scuderia Ferrari. Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman have also raced with the team during their junior careers.
Joining a team with experience in driver development gives Al Dhaheri access to an established racing environment as he prepares for the demands of Formula 3.
His position as a Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Team driver is another important part of his development. The programme supports selected young racers as they build experience and work towards higher levels of competition.
When Will Rashid Al Dhaheri Race in Formula 3?
The 2027 FIA Formula 3 season is scheduled to begin in Bahrain in March. The opening round is expected to take place from 12 to 14 March, followed by the second round in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 19 to 21 March.
The championship’s 2027 calendar includes 10 rounds across multiple continents. New venues announced for the season include Jeddah, Montreal and Istanbul, expanding the championship’s international schedule.
The opening rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will put the young Emirati driver on familiar regional ground, although the races will attract international competition.
There is no Formula 3 round scheduled in Abu Dhabi for the 2027 season. UAE fans will therefore need to follow Al Dhaheri’s campaign through the championship’s overseas rounds and official race coverage.
Al Dhaheri’s promotion is an important development for the UAE’s motorsport community. His progression from local karting to an international championship highlights the pathway available to young drivers who build experience through junior racing categories.
His move also gives UAE fans another driver to follow during Formula 1 race weekends. With Keanu Al Azhari also announced for the 2027 Formula 3 grid, the country will have two Emirati drivers to watch in the championship, subject to final participation.
The development may also help raise the profile of grassroots motorsport and encourage young people interested in racing to explore karting and junior competitions. However, success at the international level depends on sustained performance, training, funding and access to competitive opportunities.
FAQs
Who is Rashid Al Dhaheri?
Rashid Al Dhaheri is an Emirati racing driver and a member of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Team. He has competed in karting, Formula 4 and Formula Regional.
Which team will Rashid Al Dhaheri race for in 2027?
He will compete for Van Amersfoort Racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
When will Rashid Al Dhaheri make his Formula 3 debut?
The 2027 season is scheduled to begin in Bahrain in March, with the opening round expected from 12 to 14 March.
Is Formula 3 part of Formula 1?
Formula 3 is a separate junior racing championship that takes place alongside selected Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends. It helps young drivers gain experience as they progress towards higher categories.
Will Rashid Al Dhaheri race in Abu Dhabi in 2027?
The announced 2027 Formula 3 calendar does not include an Abu Dhabi round. UAE fans can follow his campaign at the scheduled international venues.
Rashid Al Dhaheri’s move to FIA Formula 3 marks another step in his international racing career. With Van Amersfoort Racing and the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Team behind his development, the Emirati driver will have a new opportunity to compete against emerging talent from around the world in 2027.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
Read More
- Emirati Racer Rashid Al Dhaheri Joins FIA Formula 3
- Emirati racing driver
- Entertainment News
- FIA Formula 3
- FIA Formula 3 2027
- FIA Formula 3 for 2027 Season
- Formula 3 2027 season
- Rashid Al Dhaheri
- Rashid Al Dhaheri racing career
- Social Kandura
- Social Kandura Media
- Social Kandura Media News
- UAE motorsport
- UAE motorsport news
