During the FIA Formula Regional European Championship weekend at the Paul Ricard, we spoke with R-ace GP Team Principal Thibaut de Mérindol. We discussed the French team's impressive campaign so far and their expectations for the rest of the season.
Obviously, it's always nice to race in France and to have our home event here. In previous years, Paul Ricard used to mark the halfway point of the season, but this year it's already Round 6, so the championship is moving very quickly. I think we all deserve a good summer break, and Paul Ricard is the perfect place to head into it.
You're the only team that has had all three of its drivers win a race this season. You must be very proud of what the team has achieved so far in 2026.
Yes, I think we're doing a good job as a team - and when I say "team" I also include the drivers. This is a completely a new package for everyone: the engineers, the mechanics and the drivers. We've been working with this car since the Formula Regional Middle East Championship in the UAE, and this season has really been about learning more about the package race after race. So far, it seems we've found a good direction. We know every team is working hard, but we have a great atmosphere within our team. All three drivers push each other to improve. When we build our driver line-up for a new season, our goal is always to have the strongest overall combination possible. For me, having three competitive drivers is extremely important.
Tell us a little about the history of R-ace GP and some of the drivers who have raced for the team over the years.
Do you have enough time? (de Mérindol laughs). This is our 16th season. Over the years we've been fortunate to work with many outstanding drivers, starting in Formula Renault Eurocup and continuing through Formula Regional. We're also lucky to have the support of several driver academies and, above all, the trust of very talented young drivers. As I mentioned before, we're extremely careful when selecting our line-up each season. For a team like R-ace GP, the drivers are the foundation of everything. We've been fortunate to work with many exceptional talents, and the team has grown thanks to them. Great drivers help build momentum, make it easier for the engineers to develop the car, provide high-quality feedback, and show you exactly where your performance level is. When the package is competitive, they deliver results. They simply make everyone's job easier.
Could you mention some of the well-known drivers who raced for R-ace GP before reaching Formula 1?
Of course. Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly... I think there are five or six Formula 1 drivers today who have raced with us. And of course, Oscar Piastri. We won the Formula Renault Eurocup championship with Oscar in 2019. We're very proud to see these drivers competing at the highest level. We're grateful to have been part of their journey and proud that R-ace GP could contribute, even in a small way, to their careers.
You currently have two drivers, Rashid Al Dhaheri and Emanuele Olivieri, fighting for the championship. How much would it mean to win the title in the very first season of this new generation of Formula Regional cars?
Just as much as every championship means to us. We know we have two drivers who are capable of fighting for the title, and that's obviously a strength for the team. We're simply trying to make the most of the momentum we've built. Fortunately, the atmosphere inside the team is excellent, and the relationship between the drivers is very positive. That makes everything much easier to manage, and at the moment it's only bringing positive results.
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