When 27 Tatuus T-318 cars charge fiercely into Mandarin Corner on Sunday, they will be doing so for the last time on the world stage.
The second edition of the Macau Grand Prix – FIA Formula Regional World Cup marks the final international appearance of this car, as the FIA prepares to introduce a new model for 2026.
Initially known as F3 Regional, the Formula Regional concept was launched in 2018 as a key step in the FIA’s single-seater development ladder.
It sits between Formula 3 and Formula 4, bridging the gap for emerging talent on their way to the top tiers of motorsport.
New regulations for 2026 aim to further enhance safety and better align the category with the broader F1 driver pathway.
From 2026, the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) – and consequently, and most likely, the FIA Formula Regional World Cup – will adopt the brand-new Tatuus T-326, ushering in the second generation of Formula Regional cars on the global stage.
Developed by Italian company Tatuus Racing after an intensive testing and design programme, the T-326 represents the evolution of the successful T-318, which has since 2019 helped nurture the careers of drivers such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto.
All of them have climbed the ranks towards the upper echelons of international motorsport.
Following an extensive testing phase between August and October, involving professional drivers and test specialists who collectively covered more than 5,000 kilometres, the new car was officially presented to FREC teams during the 2025 season finale at Monza.
Powered by a 1.6-litre inline-three ATM163T engine, derived from the Toyota GR Yaris and tuned by Autotecnica Motori, the T-326 has been designed to deliver improved performance and driveability.
According to Tatuus, the new chassis is “lighter, more stable, and more responsive” than its predecessor introduced in 2019.
Commenting about the car, Emanuele Pirro, FIA Single-Seater Committee President and former Guia Race winner, said: “The new FR car hits all the objectives we have set for this level of single-seater racing. The cars will be safer and more efficient whilst also being faster and more raceable – this is a really amazing achievement thanks to the work of the FIA.”
From this year’s Macau Grand Prix onwards, Pirelli will serve as the exclusive global tyre supplier for the Formula Regional category, a partnership that will extend across all championships from 2026.

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