The Formula Middle East Championship certified by FIA has been announced. The brand-new series will hold its inaugural season in 2023, and is comprised of five rounds to be held at three FIA Grade 1 circuits and gets underway with a pre-season test on January 9. As well as stops at the UAE’s Dubai Autodrome and flagship F1 Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, the series will hold two consecutive rounds at the Kuwait Motor Town, the Persian Gulf state’s first permanent racing facility. Commented Top Speed General Manager Davide De Gobbi “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship certified by FIA. The enormous success of the Formula Regional Asian Championship held here over recent seasons has shown the Middle East is a burgeoning centre for junior single seater motorsport, and we believe a dedicated championship will further strengthen this position. “Middle East-based karters will be able to progress all the way through the F4 UAE and Formula Regional Middle East championships in their own region - and on FIA world-class Grade 1 race tracks - before taking the step onto the world stage in the FIA Formula 3 Championship,” he added. The series’ creation comes amid the continuing success of the FIA’s driver development strategy, which now sees five official Formula Regional championships in Asia, America, Europe, Japan and now the Middle East. In the meantime, the Formula Regional Asian Championship will resume in Southeast Asia when circumstances permit, and details of the venues and calendar will be announced at that time.