Toyota Racing Series

Arvid Lindblad wins Denny Hulme trophy in Toyota Formula Regional at Taupo

Lindblad adds his name to the trophy won by Denny Hulme at the Argentine Grand Prix fifty-one years ago after a dominant victory at Taupo Motorsport Park.

Andrew Rickert

12 Jan 2025 — 3 min read

Arvid Lindblad celebrates victory in the first feature race of the 2025 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series. (Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)

Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad held off a challenge from Matias Zagazeta to take victory in the first feature race of the 2025 Toyota Formula Regional Oceania season by more than five seconds.

Lindblad adds his name to the trophy won by Denny Hulme at the Argentine Grand Prix fifty-one years ago after a dominant victory at Taupo Motorsport Park.

The Brit started on pole but struggled at the start, with Zagazeta into the lead by turn one after another sterling start for the Peruvian. Lindblad made a decisive move around the outside to regain the lead and didn't look back, taking the chequered flag ahead of Zagazeta and Kiwi Zack Scoular, the weekend's two other race winners.

Matias Zagazeta, Arvid Lindblad, and Zack Scoular celebrate in Taupo. *(Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)*

Arvid Lindblad and Matias Zagazeta battle on the opening lap of the Denny Hulme Trophy. *(Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)*

“I made my life difficult at the start, it’s not easy to start on the inside here as it is a bit dirtier and I didn’t do a great start,” he said.

“I was very committed when I saw I had lost the lead that I had to get it back at turn one and I’m very happy that from there I was able to control the race."

“I could feel very quickly that the thermal degradation was a lot higher worse in this race than in the previous two, and the guys behind were very close but after four or five laps I managed to edge away.”

Michael Shin spins after contact with Will Brown. *(Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ)*

Supercars champion Will Brown had a sterling race after surviving a clash with Michael Shin on the back straight, with the Korean driver managing a remarkable recovery from a high-speed spin. Brown then set about chasing down those ahead, passing Josh Pierson and fellow Aussie Patrick Heuzenroeder, passing both and finishing just behind Scoular and missing out on the final podium position.

Heuzenroeder also had a remarkable weekend, mounting a consisted recovery through the field in the first two races after being pushed wide in race one. He continued the form in race three, finishing fifth from ninth on the grid.

The Toyota Formula Regional Oceania championship continues at Hampton Downs next weekend.