The first feeder series championship of 2026, ‘CTFROT’ gets under way

Welcome to racing in 2026! CTFROT, or the ‘Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy’ to give it it’s full name, is getting underway and is based entirely in New Zealand. Formerly known as the ‘Toyota Racing Series’, last season’s champion was now-F1 driver, Arvid Lindblad.

The 2026 edition features a handful of well known feeder series stars, aiming to boost their own name and acclaim, as well as the minor bonuses of a championship trophy and some all important Super License points.

📸 Arvid Lindblad, 2025’s Champion.

The series will feature 15 races over four rounds, including the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park.

Round 1 - Hampton Downs, 10/11 Jan (4 races)

Round 2 - Taupo, 16-18 Jan (4 races)

Round 3 - Teretonga Park, 23-25 Jan (4 races)

Round 4 - Highlands, 30 Jan - 01 Feb (3 races)

📸Home of the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Who’s taking part (selected)?

Kalle Rovanperä

Arguably the biggest name on this grid, double Rally World Champion Rovanperä is making his debut in single seaters after retiring from rally at the ripe old age of 25. He’s scheduled for a season in Super Formula and is ensuring he heads there with some single seater experience under his belt. He’ll race the number 69 car with Hitech TGR.

Freddie Slater

Fresh from back to back titles (Italian F4, 2024 & FRMEC and FRECA, 2025), British teen Freddie Slater is off to try his hand down under and add another trophy to his ever growing collection ahead of his Formula 3 campaign with Trident. He’ll race the 27 car for M2 competition.

Ugo Ugochukwu

Another reasonably well known name, owing in part to his affiliation with McLaren which has now ended - Ugochukwu will line up on the grid alongside the above, Freddie Slater for M2. The American will return to F3 this year, but not until he’s given New Zealand a fair crack first. He’ll be in the number 4 car.

James Wharton*

Australian driver Wharton is one of those who seems like he’s been around for a while, but at just 19 he’s still very much one to watch. With a debut in F2 and a season in F3 under his belt, the former Ferrari junior is due to race F3 once more in 2026, but first, he’s going to lineup for American team HMD Motorsports by TJ Speed, a little closer to home. He’ll race the number 13 car.

Others: Zack Scoular*, Yuanpu Cui, Louis Sharp*, Ryan Wood, Sebastian Manson*, Ernesto Rivera, Jin Nakamura, Fionn McLaughlin, Ricardo Baptista, Trevor LaTourrette, Cooper Shipman, Yevan David, Jack Taylor*, Nolan Allaer.

📸Home hero Zack Scoular won last season’s Tasman Cup and is back for more.

*notes eligible for Tasman Cup, awarded to the highest placed Australian or New Zealand driver.

📸 Image credits: Toyota Gazoo Racing, Formula Motorsport Limited, Toyota NZ, CTFROT.