Rashid Al Dhaheri Steps Up to FIA Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing for 2027
Van Amersfoort Racing is pleased to confirm that 18-year-old Emirati racing driver Rashid Al Dhaheri will compete with the team in the 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship. The Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Driver will make his FIA Formula 3 debut after progressing through karting, Formula 4 and Formula Regional.
Rashid built his early career in international karting, winning multiple WSK titles and the Macao International Kart Grand Prix. He moved into single-seaters in 2023, competing in Formula 4. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he secured five wins and 14 podiums. His results included a third-place finish at the 2023 Macau Formula 4 Race, followed by two wins and five podiums in the 2024 Formula 4 UAE Championship.
In 2025, Rashid stepped up to Formula Regional and joined the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme. He competed in both the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, taking three podium finishes in his debut European campaign.
His 2026 season brought a significant step forward. In the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy, Rashid took three wins and four podiums on his way to becoming Vice Champion. In the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, he claimed three victories, eight podiums and one pole position, finishing fourth in the championship.
For 2027, Rashid will make his FIA Formula 3 debut with Van Amersfoort Racing. He will begin preparations with VAR during the official FIA Formula 3 post-season tests, marking the start of his 2027 programme and the next step in his progression from Formula Regional to FIA Formula 3.
Rashid Al Dhaheri – FIA Formula 3 driver, Van Amersfoort Racing:
“I’m very proud to be taking the next step into FIA Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing. It is an important milestone in my journey, but I know the hard work is only beginning. I’m proud to represent the UAE and the wider region at this level, and I’m looking forward to learning, improving and giving everything I have on and off the track. Every step has to be earned, and my focus now is on preparing as strongly as possible for 2027. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me and helped make this opportunity possible.”
Brad Joyce – Team Principal, Van Amersfoort Racing:
“We’re looking forward to welcome Rashid to Van Amersfoort Racing. He has had a very strong season in Formula Regional, with three wins and eight podiums, finishing in fourth place in the championship. He has shown his pace throughout the year and has been able to fight at the front of a very competitive field. That gives us a good starting point as he steps up to Formula 3. We’re looking forward to working with him during the post-season tests and preparing for his first F3 season together.”
Van Amersfoort Racing looks forward to welcoming Rashid to the team for the 2027 FIA Formula 3 Championship.