Press release, 7 March 2025 – The 2025 season is off to a flying start for R-ace GP and its F4 team. Having just returned from the Middle East with the double title of Team and Driver Champion, as well as the title of Driver Runner-Up, it’s time to reflect on the season. And with 22 podium finishes, including 11 victories, R-ace GP Team Principal Thibaut de Mérindol could not have hoped for a better result for his team.

‘‘The level of performance and the results achieved have been more than satisfying,’‘ explains Thibaut de Mérindol, Team Principal of R-ace GP. ‘‘The in-depth work we began in 2024, and the efforts made over the past year to get this team up and running again, especially with the involvement of Cyril Comte [R-ace GP’s Technical Director], have paid off.’‘ The team’s technical and operational progress has been rewarded this year with three titles.

Drivers who live up to expectations

‘‘Emanuele [Olivieri] and Alex [Powell] are excellent drivers who have done what was expected of them, which is to take on the role of co-leaders of the team,’‘ he adds. ‘‘We saw their potential last season, and we were convinced that such a pairing of drivers would make a major contribution to raising our team to the highest level. That’s why I’d like to thank them and their management for the confidence they have shown in us by joining our team.’‘

‘‘On several occasions, Oleksandr [Savinkov] has shown real potential. But there’s still work to be done to master and maintain his level of performance,’‘ continued the R-ace GP director. ‘‘As for Emily [Cotty], she has made good linear and continuous progress. Given her lack of experience, the starting point is really satisfying, especially for a rookie,’‘ he concludes.

The European season kicks off in less than two months’ time, at the start of May. Until then, stay tuned on our social networks – Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn – to find out more about our F4 Italy and Euro 4 line-ups.

The F4 Middle East 2025 season in numbers:

• 23 podium finishes.
• 11 wins.
• 3 second places.
• 8 third places.
• 9 pole positions out of 10 qualifying sessions.
• 602 points in the team standings.
• 212 points scored by Alex Powell from Round 3, making him the top scorer in the second half of the season.

27 and 28 February 2025, Lusail – The 2025 Formula 4 Middle East season ended in style in Qatar, with R-ace GP clearly dominating. Triple victory, the final pole position of the season, two podium finishes and, above all, three titles: Team Champion, Driver Champion and Driver Runner-Up. Here’s a look back at a magnificent finale.

On Wednesday 26 February, Alex Powell (#41) set the fastest time in free practice, ahead of his team-mate and championship leader Emanuele Olivieri (#68).

The following day, the Jamaican driver took pole position in the second qualifying session, setting a lap of 1:55.945. He will therefore start the final race of the season from the front.

Race 1

At the front of the pack for the whole race, Emanuele Olivieri crossed the finish line in second place. But following the disqualification of the initial winner, the Italian took his sixth victory of the season. Alex Powell finished 5th, Oleksandr Savinkov (#52) 10th. Emily Cotty (#42) was forced to retire after a collision.

Race 2

Starting sixth, Alex Powell got off to a dazzling start. After overtaking his team-mate Oleksandr Savinkov, he quickly took the lead and went on to win the race. Behind him, Emanuele Olivieri made a fine comeback to take third place. Oleksandr Savinkov finished 6th and Emily Cotty 16th.

When the chequered flag fell, it was pure euphoria at R-ace GP: the team had won two titles in a single race. R-ace GP was crowned Team Champion and Emanuele Olivieri became Driver Champion.

Race 3

For this final race of the season, Alex Powell put in a faultless performance, leading the event from start to finish. With this fifth victory, he ended his season in style and became Runner-Up.

Behind him, Emanuele Olivieri finished second, while Emily Cotty was 16th. Disappointing results for Oleksandr Savinkov, who suffered a puncture that forced him to retire.

You can follow the races on the championship’s YouTube channel.

Historic success for R-ace GP

The season ended on a high note in the Middle East! For the first time in its history, R-ace GP has won Formula 4 in the region. However, this is not a first for the team, which had already won the FRMEC title in 2024 with Tuukka Taponen.

The European season will get underway in two months’ time, with F4 Italy and Euro 4. In the meantime, keep up with the team on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and stay tuned for our European F4 championships line-ups!

15 and 16 February 2025, Abu Dhabi – The penultimate round of the F4 Middle East Championship was a hectic one, but it once again highlighted the performances of R-ace GP. The French team brilliantly secured a double pole position, as well as a win and four podiums, confirming its excellent level despite the challenges encountered over the weekend.

On Friday 13 February, Alex Powell (#41) topped free practice ahead of team-mate Emanuele Olivieri (#68). The following day, both drivers took pole position. Emanuele Olivieri set the fastest time in the first qualifying session at 1:55.571, while Alex Powell was fastest in the second session at 1:55.330.

R-ace GP is the only team to have clocked the fastest times in every qualifying session since the start of the championship

Race 1

Emanuele Olivieri dominated the race from start to finish, but a 10-second jump-start penalty dropped him to third on the podium. Alex Powell, initially third, was promoted to second following his team-mate’s penalty. Emily Cotty (#42) finished 16th and Oleksander Savinkov (#52) 23rd.

Race 2

Alex Powell qualified eighth according to the reverse grid system* and made a fine comeback to finish third. Emily Cotty finished 11th, her best result since the start of the championship, while Oleksander Savinkov finished 23rd. Championship leader Emanuele Olivieri was forced to retire after suffering a puncture at the start of the race following contact.

Race 3

Starting from pole, Alex Powell never lost the lead to his rivals and took his third victory of the season. His Italian team-mate, Emanuele Olivieri, took third place. Oleksander Savinkov finished 17th and Emily Cotty 21st.

R-ace GP still leads the team standings by a large margin of 64 points, as well as the drivers’ standings (with Emanuele Olivieri) with a 48-point lead over its nearest rival. The final will be held in Qatar on 27 and 28 February.

You can follow the races on the championship’s Youtube channel.

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* The starting grid is determined by the classification of race 1, according to the reverse grid principle. This principle applies to the top 10 only. The winner therefore starts from 10th place, and the 10th from pole position.