The New Zealand Formula Ford Association has announced a groundbreaking three-year partnership with Rodin Motorsport that will provide New Zealand Formula Ford competitors with a direct pathway into one of the world’s leading international driver development programmes.
The agreement provides the Association with approximately $400,000 over three years, representing the most significant investments ever made in New Zealand Formula Ford and supporting an expanded five-round National Championship.
More important than the financial contribution is the unique opportunity now available to aspiring young drivers.
Under the “Formula Ford to F1” programme, the New Zealand Formula Ford National Champion, together with a Rodin-selected wildcard driver, attend an intensive three-day evaluation programme at Rodin Cars’ Mt Lyford facility in North Canterbury. Following that assessment, they may be selected to travel to the United Kingdom to participate in Rodin Motorsport’s British Formula 4 evaluation programme.
“The partnership aligned closely with Rodin’s commitment to identifying and developing emerging driving talent,” commented Rodin Cars and Rodin Motorsport Managing Director Emma Duncan. “Formula Ford remains one of the purest and most effective driver development categories anywhere in the world.
“New Zealand has a long history of producing exceptional young racing talent, and we believe Formula Ford remains one of the best places to identify that talent at an early stage.”
Rodin Motorsport currently competes in British Formula 4, GB3, FIA Formula 3, FIA Formula 2 and F1 Academy, providing one of the most comprehensive junior driver pathways in international motorsport. Rodin Motorsport have recently announced they will field a team for the first time in next year’s Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
“The significance of the partnership extends well beyond traditional sponsorship,” said New Zealand Formula Ford Championship Convenor Shane Drake. “This is about creating opportunity. Formula Ford has always been New Zealand’s premier driver development category, but opportunities to progress internationally have become increasingly difficult and expensive to secure.
“Rodin has created a pathway that gives our young drivers direct access to a world-class international motorsport organisation.
“Financial support is important, but the real value lies in the opportunity offered to our competitors. It is a genuine pathway from New Zealand Formula Ford into Rodin Motorsport’s Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2 programmes.”
The programme has already begun producing results.
Current New Zealand Formula Ford Champion Marco Manson and Queensland teenager Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi recently completed Rodin’s evaluation programme at Mt Lyford and have been selected to travel to the United Kingdom for further assessment within Rodin Motorsport’s Formula 4 programme.
The partnership also reflects Rodin founder David Dicker’s long-standing connection to Formula Ford and New Zealand driver development. Several years ago, Dicker identified the talent of Christchurch driver Louis Sharp while he was competing in New Zealand Formula Ford. Sharp subsequently progressed to win both the British Formula 4 and GB3 Championships and is now regarded as one of New Zealand’s brightest international racing prospects.
“The purpose of this programme is not simply to reward championship success,” says Duncan. “It is to identify drivers with the attitude, work ethic, professionalism and potential required to progress through the international motorsport ladder.
This partnership gives Rodin Motorsport the opportunity to evaluate emerging New Zealand talent and, where appropriate, provide a pathway into our international racing programmes.”
Drake also acknowledged the valuable contribution made by the Tony Quinn Foundation over recent years.
“New Zealand Formula Ford remains extremely grateful for the support provided by the Tony Quinn Foundation, which has assisted many competitors through travel support and championship incentives.
“That contribution has been instrumental in helping young drivers compete at the national level. However, opportunities occasionally emerge that could fundamentally change what is possible for young drivers. The Rodin proposal was one of those opportunities.”
The 2026 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship calendar and further details of the Rodin Motorsport development programme will be announced shortly.
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