Irish driver Fionn McLaughlin – the highly-rated 2025 British F4 rookie and overall championship winner – will contest the forthcoming Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy with new team Hitech.

The early season campaign in New Zealand will be a prelude to a campaign in FIA F3 with Hitech TGR as part of the Red Bull Junior team.

Eighteen-year-old Fionn enjoyed a super successful karting career between 2016 and 2024, narrowly missing out on the FIA World Karting Championship title in 2023.

He stepped up to single seaters in 2024 having been selected for the Red Bull Junior program after winning an eleven driver shootout in F4 and GB3 cars at Jerez. An impressive learning season in 2024 was followed by a dominant 2025 in British F4, winning the overall title by more than 50 points and the rookie title by more than 200 points.

McLaughlin is focussed on making 2026 an even bigger season – winning in New Zealand and in FIA F3. But he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite being on an impressive improvement curve that could lead to an F1 seat.

“I’m here in this position because my family has given up so much to help me chase this dream,” he said.

“They’ve put in the long drives, the early mornings, the late nights, and everything in between. I know I’m really fortunate to be in this position, and I don’t take it for granted, I work hard and I’m dedicated to becoming the best.

“Every time I get in the car, I’m trying to make the most of the chances they’ve helped give me. I never lose. Either I win or I learn.”

The New Zealand championship has long been a preferred proving ground for Red Bull Junior drivers. Daniil Kvyatt, Yuki Tsunoda and last season Arvid Lindblad all raced in the championship as a stepping stone on their way to Formula One.

Hitech is one of two new teams to have joined the New Zealand championship since it strategically reduced its season from five to four rounds to avoid clashes with northern hemisphere testing. A high quality field is promised.

Fans will be able to follow the championship easily. Qualifying will be livestreamed on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s YouTube channel. Races will also be on that channel and on SkySport domestically in New Zealand. Races will also be streamed live on the Motorsport.TV platform.

2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy

Rd1 - 9-11 January - Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park

Rd2 - 16-18 January - Taupo International Motorsport Park

Rd3 - 23-25 January - Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill

Rd4 - 30 Jan -1st Feb - 70th New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands International Motorsport Park

About the Repco NextGen NZ Championship

Season two of the Repco NextGen NZ Championship comprises six incredible events showcasing the best of international and local motorsport throughout the summer.

The season includes back-to-back rounds at Hampton Downs, Taupo, Teretonga (Invercargill) and the 70th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park, now sponsored by NAPA. The season finale will be held at Manfeild, near Palmerston, in early March.

The championship is headlined by the return of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand and the TA2 New Zealand Championship.

A special two-round historic Formula Atlantic showcase will be a highlight, along with the Porsche NZ Championship, GTRNZ, NAPA Central Muscle Cars, the NAPA Auto Parts NZ Formula Ford Championship and the NEXEN Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series.

For more information, head to www.nextgennz.co.nz

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