The field for the upcoming Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship is set with 18 drivers making up the Class of 2025. We have a solid entry of varying talent all looking to gain as much experience as possible over five consecutive race weekends starting 10-12 January 2025 in Taupo. The one to beat will undoubtedly be Brit Arvid Lindblad and there will be a handful of drivers who will be competing for podiums and race wins.
Current Australian Supercars champion, Will Brown, has the talent and comes with single seater experience in Australian Formula Ford, Formula 4 and S5000. However, he will only compete in three rounds (Rnd 1- Taupo, Rnd 2 – Hampton Downs, Rnd 6 NZ Grand Prix Highlands Motorsport Park) and will not be a title threat. This won’t stop him being at the pointy end of the field.
One to watch is Nikita Johnson from the USA. Johnson is just 16 years-old and has considerable wings and slicks experience at such a young age. Having finished runner up in the 2024 USF Pro 2000 Series with eight race wins, he also competed in the 2024 GB3 Championship with two races wins finishing 11th overall having missed the first two rounds until his 16th birthday at the end of May giving him the eligibility to compete.
And what of the Kiwi contingent? Both Alex Crosbie and Seb Manson make their return to the Championship.
Crosbie came in fifth overall in 2024. He finished in the top five only twice over the 15-race series, including one podium. The key to his success was consistency in finishing every race. He now has overseas experience having finished fourth overall in the 2024 US Formula 4 Championship with Kiwi Motorsport.
Manson only competed in the last five races gaining valuable experience and an appetite for more. He also has valuable overseas competition experience having finished runner up in the 2024 Formula Regional Japanese Championship.
Both are likely to be in contention for podiums and even race wins, but we will have to find out if they have the drive and ability to compete for the overall title. Consistency is the key for any title fight and both now have the experience and expectation to finish in the top five in every race. That’s all they need to do.
Jett Bowling also makes a return to New Zealand with more experience having finished third in the Formula Regional Americas Championship as well as several Formula Regional European Alpine races.
Josh Pierson from the USA may be one to surprise. With a kartsport and single seater background, he comes with extensive experience not only in Indy NXT Series but also IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Trophy LMP2 category.
Lindblad may be hard to beat. However, there is emerging talent on the grid and drivers that will make the most of any opportunity. The talent will certainly rise to the top.
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