2026 Formula Regional Oceania Trophy: everything you need to know as NZ series begins
Drivers from across the world will descend on New Zealand for four weeks to kick off the 2026 open-wheel racing season.
The Toyota Racing series has certainly gone through some changes in recent years and 2026 will be no different, with a new format shortening what is known as the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy series to just four weeks.
Done to avoid clashes with IndyNXT and European junior formula testing, the series will now host four races each weekend, apart from the New Zealand Grand Prix.
Qualifying and two races will take place each Saturday and Sunday for the first three weekends, with three 70km races and one 90km feature race on Sunday afternoon to decide the trophy winner for each round.
The New Zealand Grand Prix, running for the 70th anniversary year, will be unchanged, with two knockout qualifying sessions before a top ten shootout before the 109km race.
It remains one of only two races outside of Formula One, along with the Macau Grand Prix, to have FIA recognition as a Grand Prix event.
A new push-to-pass system will also be installed for 2025, giving each driver an additional 25 horsepower when activated.
The series will be broadcast in Australia on Kayo Sports as well as free streaming on YouTube.
Coverage in New Zealand will be on SkySport, with Motorsport.TV also offering live streaming for international viewers.
Calendar
Round 1: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, 8-11 January
Round 2: Taupo International Motorsport Park, 15-18 January
Round 3: Teretonga Park, 22-25 January
Round 4: 70th New Zealand Grand Prix - Highlands Motorsport Park, 29 January - 1 February
Drivers
Giles Motorsport: Jack Taylor (AUS), Nolan Allaer
Hitech TGR: Kanato Le, Jin Nakamura, Kalle Rovanperä, Fionn McLaughlin
TJ Speed with HMD Motorsport: Trevor LaTourrette, James Wharton (AUS), Ricardo Baptista
Kiwi Motorsport: Yevan David, Cooper Shipman
mtec Motorsport: Yuanpu Cui, Zack Scoular (NZ), Louis Sharp (NZ), Ryan Wood (NZ)
M2 Competition: Freddie Slater, Sebastian Manson (NZ), Ugo Ugochukwu, Ernesto Rivera
Updates
07 January 2026: Skip Barber F4 Race Series driver Kevin LaTourrette will head to New Zealand for a last-minute spot with TJ Speed with HMD Motorsport.
27 December 2025: Red Bull junior Mexican Ernesto Rivera joins M2 Competition ahead of a season in FIA Formula 3.
23 December 2025: Brazilian Ricardo "Cadi" Baptista joins TJ Speed with HMD Motorsport.
18 December 2025: Macau Grand Prix winner Ugo Ugochukwu will make his New Zealand debut with M2 Competition.
17 December 2025: Aussie James Wharton continues to build his experience ahead of a return to PREMA Racing for his second year in FIA Formula 3. He joins TJ Speed with HMD Motorsports to take on the Toyota FR Oceania Trophy.
16 December 2025: Another FIA Formula 3 preparatory campaign, this time for Louis Sharp who will join mtec Motorsport.
11 December 2025: F4 United States champion Cooper Shipman heads to New Zealand with Kiwi Motorsport.
09 December 2025: Nolan Allaer makes the switch from IndyNXT to Formula Regional machinery with Giles Motorsport.
05 December 2025: British F4 rookie Fionn McLaughlin joins Hitech TGR before a spot in the Red Bull junior academy sends him to the FIA Formula 3 championship later this year.
04 December 2025: 2025 runner-up Zac Scoular will return for a second campaign with mtec Motrosport.
02 December 2025: Big news. Two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä, who is aiming for Formula One via a season or two in the Japanese Super Formula, will make his single-seater debut in New Zealand with Hitech TGR.
28 November 2025: One of the most experience Formula Regional drivers of the current generation, Kanato Le will head to NZ with Hitech TGR.
27 November 2025: Yevan David will be the first Sri Lankan to race in the Toyota series, joining Kiwi Motorsport ahead of joining the FIA Formula 3 championship later this year.
21 November 2025: Sebastian Manson returns as the first home driver for 2026, joining M2 Competition.
20 November 2025: Jin Nakamura will begin 2026 in New Zealand with Hitech before making his debut in the FIA Formula 3 series.
18 November 2025: Chinese driver Yuanpu Cui signs with mtec Motorsport.
13 November 2025: Aussie Jack Taylor was a star of the 2025 GB4 championship, with two wins and four podiums. He joins Giles Motorsport in his first campaign close to home.
6 November 2025: 2025 FRECA champion Freddie Slater is the first confirmed name on the FR Oceania Trophy grid with M2 Competition.
1 November 2025: Supercars driver Ryan Wood is also handed a $40,000 scholarship from the Tony Quinn Foundation to join the grid.
1 October 2025: It's all but certain that Louis Sharp will be on the FR Oceania grid after a $100,000 scholarship from the Tony Quinn Foundation.
