Rashid Al Dhaheri signs with Van Amersfoort Racing for 2027 FIA Formula 3
Emirati driver Rashid Al Dhaheri, 18, a Mercedes junior, will race in FIA Formula 3 in 2027 for Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing after finishing fourth in this year's Formula Regional European Championship.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Van Amersfoort Racing announced on Thursday 15 October 2026 that 18-year-old Emirati driver Rashid Al Dhaheri will compete in FIA Formula 3 in 2027. The NationalN “The Dutch team announced a deal with the 18-year-old UAE star on Thursday” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “Al Dhaheri will join Dutch outfit Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR)” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1The move is a step up from the Formula Regional European Championship, where Al Dhaheri drove for R-ace GP and finished fourth, 38 points behind champion Emanuele Olivieri, after a podium at the Hockenheim finale. The NationalN “ending the weekend fourth in the overall standings, 38 points behind title winner Emanuele Olivieri of Italy”“Driving for French team R-ace GP” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Over the season Al Dhaheri took three wins (Red Bull Ring, Monza and Hungaroring), eight podiums, one pole position and a fastest lap, and became the first Emirati to lead the standings, 21 points clear at the halfway stage. The NationalN “Al Dhaheri recorded victories at the Red Bull Ring, Monza and Hungaroring across the eight-round championship.”“sat 21 points clear at the halfway stage” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2Al Dhaheri has been a member of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme since March 2025, the first Middle East driver selected for it, and stays in the programme while joining Van Amersfoort. The NationalN “becoming the first Middle East driver to be selected for their F1 development initiative” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “Joining VAR while remaining part of the Mercedes junior programme” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Al Dhaheri said the step was "an important milestone" but that "the hard work is only beginning", and said they were proud to represent the UAE and the wider region. The NationalN “It is an important milestone in my journey, but I know the hard work is only beginning.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Team principal Brad Joyce cited the driver's three wins and eight podiums as a "good starting point" and said the team looks forward to post-season tests before the first F3 season together. The NationalN “That gives us a good starting point as he steps up to Formula 3.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2Both outlets present the signing as a first for the UAE: Gulf News calls Al Dhaheri the first driver from the country to compete in the championship, and The National says no Emirati has previously competed in F3. Gulf NewsN “becoming the first driver from the country to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “No Emirati has previously competed in F3.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The National adds that the UAE will have two drivers on the 2027 grid, because Keanu Al Azhari has signed for Hitech. The NationalN “the UAE will have two drivers on the grid next season after it was also announced that” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Gulf News notes that Van Amersfoort's former drivers include Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman, and that the 2027 calendar spans 10 rounds in 10 countries on four continents, with 30 drivers on the grid. Gulf NewsN “Its former drivers include four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman.”“10 rounds in 10 countries and four continents” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both UAE-based outlets treat the signing as a landmark for Emirati motorsport and a step on the path to Formula 1. The National leads on the career step and Al Dhaheri's season; Gulf News leads on 'history' and national significance.
- Emphasis
- The National: season results, quotes, career background and the Mercedes link. Gulf News: UAE 'first', Van Amersfoort's record of developing drivers, the F3 calendar and inspiring young Emiratis.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gulf News does not mention Keanu Al Azhari's Hitech deal or the season results; The National does not describe the F3 calendar or Van Amersfoort's alumni.
- Charged language
- “make UAE motorsport history”“major step towards F1 dream”“landmark moment”
- For example
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“Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri takes major step towards F1 dream with Formula 3 move” — The National
“creating a landmark moment for the country's presence in international circuit racing” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Rashid Al Dhaheri, 18, will race in FIA Formula 3 in 2027 for Van Amersfoort Racing.
- He is part of the Mercedes junior programme.
- He is presented as the first Emirati in F3.
Rashid Al Dhaheri person
Calls the move an important milestone, says the hard work is only beginning, and stresses representing the UAE and the region.
“I’m proud to represent the UAE and the wider region at this level” — The National
Van Amersfoort Racing organisation
Team principal Brad Joyce points to the driver's strong Formula Regional season and pace as a good base for the step up.
“He has shown his pace throughout the year” — The National
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri takes major step towards F1 dream with Formula 3 move
Sympathetic Career-progress report built around quotes from Al Dhaheri and the team principal, with season statistics and background, framed as a step toward F1.
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Rashid Al Dhaheri to make motorsport history with Formula 3 move
Celebratory Emphasises national historic significance and inspiration for young Emiratis, with little direct quotation.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 08:54 First The NationalN Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri takes major step towards F1 dream with Formula 3 move
- 15 Oct 13:18 +4h 24m Gulf NewsN Rashid Al Dhaheri to make motorsport history with Formula 3 move
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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