Joshua Dufek will continue his preparations in pursuit of a major title next season by contesting the Formula Regional Middle East series with PHM Racing over the next couple of months.
The 17-year-old will return to what was previously known as Formula Regional Asia for a second season, having used the championship to get his first taste of Formula 3 level machinery last winter. The three-round campaign provided vital experience for Josh's step up to Formula Regional European by Alpine this past summer — culminating in a late push for Rookie Championship honours — and the youngster will now look to use this winter's FRMEC series to get further miles under his belt before launching his assault on the overall FRECA title in 2023.
The inaugural FRMEC schedule is made up of five rounds, all to be held at FIA Grade 1 circuits, taking drivers to both the Yas Marina circuit that hosts the season-ending Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix and Dubai Autodrome, as well as breaking new ground with back-to-back rounds at the Kuwait Motor Town facility. Josh's involvement will begin with a pre-season test in Dubai on January 9th.
Berlin-based PHM Racing team was created from the remains of Mücke Motorsport's single-seater programme by Paul H. Müller ahead of the 2022 season, but already has big aims. Apart from a desire to become a non-profit organisation dedicated to furthering the careers of its drivers, it has already announced that it will be expanding into FIA F3 and F2 with Charouz Racing in 2023 — despite having only dipped its toes, successfully, into the FIA F4 water this past winter.
"I’m looking forward to be getting behind the wheel again soon, especially as FRMEC is a great opportunity to get a headstart on the season and a great place to show all the hard work that has been put in during the winter break," Josh noted. "I’m also really excited to have the opportunity to work with a progressive operation like PHM and thankful to Paul Müller and his team for giving me the opportunity to attack this competition with them!"