Congratulations to both TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand and Hitech on the announcement that the latter will officially field a three-car team on the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy grid.
This is potentially a huge boost for the series which arguably has struggled since the Covid years after progressing from strength to strength leading up to that point.
Hitech are a well-regarded European motorsport team involved in numerous single seater categories right through to FIA F3 and F2. Drivers who have competed in NZ and then back in Europe with Hitech include Liam Lawson, Marcus Armstrong, Nikita Johnson, Amaury Cordeel, Nikita Mazepin and Enaam Ahmed.
Having previously sent numerous drivers down to compete in New Zealand utilising established domestic teams, now they will officially have their name on the entry lists.
This is significant for three reasons.
With a highly regarded European team with their name now on the Toyota FR pitlane, we are more likely to get some serious talent heading to the Southern Hemisphere.
There is an unspoken rivalry between the Oceania and Middle East Formula Regional competitions with both having different strengths and weaknesses. Hitech’s involvement in NZ will increase the credibility of the Oceania series.
The presence of Hitech in the Toyota FR pitlane will increase the level of competition not only with the drivers but also with the teams. It raises the bar and the intensity.
To have such an announcement this early bodes well for the coming NZ summer. Bring it on!
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