Junior single-seater teams and drivers continued preparing for 2026 as the winter holidays rapidly approach. Feeder Series tells you who tested where over the past week.

By Finjo Muschlien

Formula 1’s title showdown was decided in Lando Norris’ favor at Abu Dhabi two weekends ago, though teams didn’t leave the paddock just yet. Just two days after the grand prix, F1 held its annual post-season test at Abu Dhabi on 9 December.

Among the five current feeder series drivers present, Kush Maini (#62) got his first chance to drive an F1 car in an official session for Alpine. F2’s Dino Beganovic (#38), Luke Browning (#46) and Jak Crawford (#35) all took part in the test with Ferrari, Williams and Aston Martin respectively, while F1-bound Arvid Lindblad (#41) also hit the track with Racing Bulls ahead of his rookie F1 season next year.

Super Formula was the other top-tier single-seater championship to host testing, with its two-day post-season test on 10 and 11 December followed by a rookie test on 12 December.

In the former, reigning Super Formula Lights champion Yuto Nomura (#50) drove for B-Max Racing, with whom he is expected to step up in 2026, before Zachary David (#50) took over the car in the morning session of the rookie test on Friday. Masters class champion Yasuhiro Shimizu (#50) occupied the car in the afternoon session, though he crashed on his outlap exiting Turn 2, ending his session within seconds. 

Rikuto Kobayashi (#29) tested with TGMGP TGR-DC on all three days ahead of his expected step up to Super Formula next year. Two-time world rally champion Kalle Rovanperä (#8), who will also race in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy next month, tested with Team KCMG and planned to drive all sessions, but he had to withdraw after the morning session of the first day because of vertigo symptoms affecting his balance. His car was driven by reigning Japanese F4 champion Tokiya Suzuki (#8) on the second day, before Suzuki drove the #7 machine on the rookie test day.

Charlie Wurz (#53) tested with Team Goh on all three days ahead of his expected switch to the championship. Luke Browning (#4) also appeared at Kondo Racing on the second and third days after missing the first day because of the F1 test. 

Souta Arao (#12) drove for ThreeBond Racing on the second and third days, making his first appearance in the series and his first public appearance in a race car since the opening round of Super Formula Lights. 

TOM’S fielded F3 drivers Ugo Ugochukwu (#1) and Freddie Slater (#37) in the rookie test, while Rookie Racing fielded Formula Regional Japan champion Kiyoshi Umegaki (#14). Kazuhisa Urabe (#38) returned to Inging, the team owned by his father Haruhisa Urabe, having tested for them last year already.

F2 at Abu Dhabi

F2 held its post-season test from Wednesday to Friday at Abu Dhabi. All 21 announced 2026 drivers took part in the test, as did Rafael Villagómez (#25), who is widely expected to return for a third and potentially final season in the championship with Van Amersfoort Racing.

The post-season test also marked the first time IndyCar’s Colton Herta (#8) tested the current-generation F2 car with Hitech, but he never reached the top 10 in any session. Instead, it was MP Motorsport’s Oliver Goethe (#5) who topped the times on the first two days, with Alex Dunne (#17) setting the fastest time on Friday.

F2, Yas Marina, 10–12 December	P1	P2	P3
Day 1, AM	Oliver Goethe, 1:38.979	Joshua Dürksen, +0.177s	Alex Dunne, +0.177s
Day 1, PM	Oliver Goethe, 1:37.203	Rafael Câmara, +0.066s	Joshua Dürksen, +0.087s
Day 2, AM	Oliver Goethe, 1:37.049	Alex Dunne, +0.269s	Gabriele Minì, +0.274s
Day 2, PM	Rafael Câmara, 1:37.646	Joshua Dürksen, +0.096s	Martinius Stenshorne, +0.981s
Day 3, AM	Alex Dunne, 1:37.153	Kush Maini, +0.010s	Rafael Villagómez, +0.147s
Day 3, PM	Oliver Goethe, 1:38.274	Alex Dunne, +0.083s	Martinius Stenshorne, +0.146s

F3, FRegional, GB3, F4, GB4 at Aragón

A test with teams from various classes took place at MotorLand Aragón on 8 and 9 December. Porteiro Motorsport was the only team to bring an F3 car, but Feeder Series was unable to identify the driver.

Van Amersfoort Racing appeared with three Tatuus F3 T-318 cars, driven by Andrea Dupé (#6), Dion Gowda (#22) and Francisco Macedo (#55), who are all expected to race for the team next year.

Elite Motorsport appeared with two GB3 cars, driven by Yani Stevenheydens (#17) and Flynn Jackes (#3.3). The team’s three GB4 cars were driven by Matan Achituv (#18), who was the fastest of the trio on Tuesday; Fred Green (#25), who was fastest on Monday; and Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso (#3). GB4 team Pace Performance appeared with one car, driven by John O’Donnell (#100).

At least three F4 teams took part in the test. AS Motorsport fielded Ginevra Panzeri (#10), while Cram Motorsport appeared with cars driven by Samuel Ifrid and Max Kammerlander, who are both set to race in the Formula Winter Series, as well as Simon Rechenmacher (#16.1). SG Motors appeared with one car for Markas Šilkūnas (#16).

Aragón, 08–09 December	P1	P2	P3
FRegional, Day 1	Dion Gowda, 1:50.327	Andrea Dupé, +0.946s	Francisco Macedo, +1.057s
FRegional, Day 2	Dion Gowda, 1:49.913	Francisco Macedo, +0.787s	Andrea Dupé, +0.900s
GB3, Day 1	Yani Stevenheydens, 1:51.509	Flynn Jackes, +0.127s
GB3, Day 2	Yani Stevenheydens, 1:51.121	Flynn Jackes, +0.179s
GB4, Day 1	Fred Green, 1:59.750	Matan Achituv, +0.109s	Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso, +0.928s
GB4, Day 2	Matan Achituv, 1:59.515	Fred Green, +0.007s	Emillio Valentino Del Grosso, +0.377s
F4, Day 1	‘Alexandrov’, 2:00.174	Cram #37, +0.027s	Simon Rechenmacher, +0.103s
F4, Day 2	Markas Silkunas, 1:59.425	Cram #37, +0.355s	Simon Rechenmacher, +0.371s

Eurocup-3, Spanish F4 at Jerez

Several teams from Eurocup-3 and Spanish F4 tested at Jerez on 9 and 10 December. Drivex with two cars and GRS with one were the only EC-3 teams to hit the track, and GRS’ Gianni Giovanelli (#73) was the only driver Feeder Series could identify. 

Campos brought four F4 cars to Jerez, but Feeder Series could only identify Luna Fluxá (#2). Drivex brought a total of seven cars for its main team and satellite DXR, including the already signed Nathan Tye (#90) and Simón Bulbarella (#93). 

Having taken over Saintéloc’s F4 cars, G4 Racing fielded brothers Philippe Armand Karras (#12) and Jean-Paul Karras (#13). MP Motorsport brought five cars to Jerez, driven by Rocco Coronel (#3) and Borys Łyżeń (#22) alongside three unidentified drivers.

Rodin Motorsport brought four cars, driven by Alfie Slater (#7), Dries Van Langendonck (#15) and two unknown drivers.

TC Racing brought two cars, driven by Beau Lowette (#78) and an unidentified driver, while Tecnicar brought four cars, driven by Max Mokarem (#17), Rodrigo Martinez (#75), Zoe Florescu Potolea (#77) and Nacho Tuñón (#79).

Monlau Motorsport, who now have a working relationship with Campos rather than Van Amersfoort, also attended the test with two cars, as did Double R Racing, but none of their drivers could be identified.

USF Pro 2000, USF 2000, USF Juniors at Homestead

The YACademy Winter Series hosted a two-day test at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida on 10 and 11 December. 

Jay Howard Driver Development attended the test with one USF Pro 2000 car, driven by João Diaz (#5), while TJ Speed Motorsports and VRD Racing both brought two cars each. TJ Speed fielded Jeshua Alianell (#26) alongside an unidentified driver. VRD attended the test with Teddy Musella (#3), who topped the times on the second day, and Sebastian Wheldon (#10), who was fastest on day one. 

Five teams from USF2000 attended the test. Colin Aitken (#2), Donovan Bonilla (#78) and Oliver Wheldon (#98) drove for VRD in the test, with the 14-year-old Wheldon setting the pace on both days. DEForce Racing fielded Thomas Nordqvist (#17), while Exclusive Autosport and Zanella Racing brought one car each for announced drivers Anthony Martella (#92) and Leonardo Escorpioni (#55). JHDD also attended the test with one car, but its occupant remains unknown. 

Seven teams from USF Juniors attended the test. JHDD’s Chace Gassiot-Lee (#6), who topped the times on both days, was partnered by John Main (#7) and Aryan Narola (#9).

Berg Racing’s only driver was its sporting director Alex Berg (#68), who came second on the first day. Exclusive Autosport brought four cars, driven by Connor Aspley (#91), Brenden Cooley (#92), Cam Becker (#93) and Cole Medeiros (#97). 

Olivia Racing attended the test with two cars, driven by Keagan Day (#24) and Hudson Potter (#25). VRD likewise brought two drivers, Ethan Booher (#11) and Joseph Huet (#77). 

Pole Position Motorsports brought just one car, driven by Alessandro Truchot (#17), while Zanella brought three, driven by Elías Vignola (#12), Jared Oselka (#37) and Leonardo Serravalle (#87).

Miami, 10–11 December	P1	P2	P3
USF Pro 2000, Day 1	Sebastian Wheldon, 1:21.469	Teddy Musella, +0.302s	João Diaz, +0.508s
USF Pro 2000, Day 2	Teddy Musella, 1:20.950	Sebastian Wheldon, +0.013s	João Diaz, +0.823s
USF2000, Day 1	Oliver Wheldon, 1:24.084	Anthony Martella, +0.166s	JHDD #6, +0.266s
USF2000, Day 2	Oliver Wheldon, 1:23.463	Anthony Martella, +0.164s	Leonardo Escorpioni, +0.236s
USF Juniors, Day 1	Chace Gassiot-Lee, 1:22.691	Alex Berg, +0.457s	Cam Becker, +0.702s
USF Juniors, Day 2	Chace Gassiot-Lee, 1:22.591	Cam Becker, +0.485s	Aryan Narola, +0.485s

Eurocup-3, Spanish F4 at Barcelona

The final official test of the year for Eurocup-3 and Spanish F4 took place at Barcelona on 13 and 14 December. 

Six teams from Eurocup-3 took part, and for some, it was their first chance to test the new Dallara 326 car. Thomas Strauven (#81) was Campos’ only driver in a Dallara 326. Gianni Giovanelli (#73) tested with GRS in the series’ old car. Palou Motorsport had two cars, one of which was a Dallara 326 driven by Rafaël Pérard (#10). Drivex was present with two cars and Tecnicar with one, but their car models and drivers could not be identified.

TC Racing appeared on the second day only with Luca Viisoreanu (#8) in a Dallara 326.

Eleven teams from Spanish F4 also took part in the test. Drivex and their satellite DXR took part with six cars, with Nathan Tye (#90) and Simón Bulbarella (#93) at Drivex and Max Radeck in one of the three DXR cars. Monlau appeared with three cars, two of which were driven by Oskar Galan (#25) and Lucas Pasquinetti (#91). MP Motorsport brought four cars, driven by Rocco Coronel (#3), Borys Łyżeń (#22) and two unknown drivers. Campos Racing also fielded four cars, though no drivers could be identified.

Rodin Motorsport fielded four cars, driven by Dries Van Langendonck (#15) and Alfie Slater (#32) alongside two unidentified drivers. TC Racing likewise brought four cars for Max Mokarem (#88), Beau Lowette (#68) and two unidentified drivers. Tecnicar brought five cars, but only one driver, Zoe Florescu Potolea (#79), was identified.

Double R attended the test with one car, as did G4 and GRS with two cars. Their drivers could not be identified.

Barcelona, 13–14 December	P1	P2	P3
EC3, Day 1	Thomas Strauven, 1:32.342	Rafaël Pérard, +1.103s	Tecnicar #77, +1.795s
EC3, Day 2	Thomas Strauven, 1:31.833	Tecnicar #77, +1.492s	Rafaël Pérard, +1.740s
F4, Day 1	Campos #4, 1:42.103	Rocco Coronel, +0.057s	Tecnicar #77, +0.264s
F4, Day 2	Nathan Tye, 1:42.289	MP #1, +0.203s	G4 #12, +0.204s

Other testing activities

Zak Taylor tested the MSV GB3-025 car at the MSV-owned Navarra track on 8 December, with Joseph Loake doing so at the end of the week on 14 December. Several F2, GP2 and Eurocup-3 cars also hit the Circuit Ricardo Tormo elsewhere in Spain on 11 and 12 December.

Prema Racing hosted a private test at Bahrain from 13 to 15 December. The drivers present are understood to have been Salim Hanna and Enzo Deligny, though Feeder Series could not confirm which cars they used. 

Three F4 teams hit the track at Estoril on 13 and 14 December. Cram fielded Max Kammerlander, Samuel Irfid and Oscar Repetto. Van Amersfoort Racing attended the test with three cars, with Thomas Bearman and Alex Ruta two of their occupants, while Real Racing also brought two unidentified drivers.

The first on-track event for Indonesian F4 also took place mid-week, with French-Thai-Senegalese driver Rayan Caretti behind the wheel of a Ligier JS F422 car at Mandalika.

Report by Finjo Muschlien

Read the previous round-up here.

Header photo credit: Dutch Photo Agency