German rising star Arjen Kräling will join TJ Speed Motorsports for the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), as the 16-year-old prepares to make his Formula Regional debut in New Zealand.
The Winterberg-born driver joins an increasingly competitive international field for the four-round championship, which will begin at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in January before concluding with the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park. Kräling brings experience from several European junior single-seater championships, including British Formula 4, Italian Formula 4, E4 and the Formula Winter Series.
His arrival follows a busy 2026 season in which he secured his maiden overall Formula Winter Series victory at Valencia and continued developing his experience in Italian F4. More recently, he joined TJ Speed Motorsports in the GB3 Championship, establishing a relationship with the American outfit ahead of their New Zealand campaign.
Thus, Kräling will use the Trophy to gain experience in more powerful machinery before deciding on his next steps in European single-seaters or prototype racing.
Kräling targets development and podium finishes in New Zealand
Kräling views the 2027 CTFROT as an important opportunity to accelerate his development while gaining competitive mileage during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter break. The championship’s concentrated calendar will allow him to experience four different circuits in successive weekends, offering opportunities to improve his racecraft and adapt to the demands of Formula Regional machinery.
Although the German will make his debut at this level, he hopes to challenge for strong results throughout the campaign. His objectives extend beyond the New Zealand season, however, as he continues working towards a professional motorsport career.
“New Zealand is all about learning as much as possible for 2027 and hopefully securing some podium results and wins on the way,” he explained. “I want to turn my passion of motorsport into a career and become a professional at the highest level I possibly can.”
The move will provide Kräling with another step up the junior single-seater ladder after two seasons of competition across different Formula 4 championships. Moreover, his existing relationship with TJ Speed should help him settle into the team as he prepares to learn the new car and circuits.
From skiing to international karting success
Kräling’s motorsport career began after an early involvement in a different competitive discipline. Before turning his attention to racing, he spent three years competing in professional skiing in Austria, gaining experience in high-level sport before pursuing a new direction.
He began karting at the age of 12 and quickly progressed into international competition, developing his skills against some of Europe’s leading young drivers. His early achievements included finishing runner-up in the 2022 ADAC Kart Masters Mini 60 category, establishing himself as a promising prospect.
Kräling subsequently competed in the Karting World Championships, finishing 11th in 2023 before improving to eighth in 2024. His performances also earned him eighth place in the FIA’s world karting ranking for the OK Junior category that year.
These results provided a foundation for his transition into single-seaters, where he faced the challenge of adapting to heavier machinery, aerodynamic downforce and more complex race management.
After testing a Formula 4 car with Argenti Motorsport, Kräling decided to make the move into car racing for 2025, beginning a demanding period of competition across several European championships.
British F4 and GB4 provide first single-seater experience
Kräling began his single-seater career in the 2025 British Formula 4 Championship, joining Argenti Motorsport for the final five rounds of the season. Although he entered the championship midway through the year, the German quickly gained experience against a competitive field.
His strongest overall finish came with sixth place, while seven rookie podiums demonstrated his ability to compete against drivers with greater experience in Formula 4 machinery. The campaign also allowed him to familiarise himself with a variety of British circuits while learning the technical and physical demands of single-seater racing.
Alongside British F4, Kräling made a one-off appearance in the GB4 Championship with Douglas Motorsport at Silverstone. He finished third in the second race, adding another podium to his early car racing record.
The additional experience proved valuable as he continued broadening his programme during the second half of the year. Rather than concentrating exclusively on one championship, Kräling used several categories to gain experience in different competitive environments.
He also joined US Racing for the E4 Championship, finishing seventh overall and securing a rookie podium at Monza. His performances strengthened his relationship with the German outfit ahead of a more extensive 2026 campaign.
Formula Winter Series victory marks 2026 breakthrough
Kräling continued with US Racing for 2026, competing in the Formula Winter Series before embarking on campaigns in Italian F4 and E4.
The Formula Winter Series provided an early highlight when he secured his first overall single-seater victory at Valencia in February. The result represented an important milestone following his initial experience in British F4, demonstrating his progress against another competitive field of young drivers.
He subsequently continued his development in the Italian F4 Championship, where the demanding calendar and depth of competition presented another challenge. Kräling achieved his strongest result at Vallelunga, finishing third overall, while several additional top-ten finishes helped him establish himself among the championship’s leading 15 drivers.
His participation in E4 provided further opportunities to refine his racecraft, continuing a programme that prioritised competitive mileage and experience across different circuits.
The combination of these championships allowed Kräling to develop his understanding of car setup, tyre management and race strategy. More importantly, his results demonstrated continued improvement as he prepared to move beyond Formula 4.
GB3 move strengthens relationship with TJ Speed Motorsports
Following his Formula 4 commitments, Kräling joined TJ Speed Motorsports for the closing stages of the 2026 GB3 Championship, beginning a working relationship that will continue into his New Zealand campaign.
GB3 represents another step beyond conventional Formula 4 machinery, introducing greater performance and a more demanding technical package. The move therefore provides Kräling with an opportunity to gain experience in faster cars before making his Formula Regional debut.
He will complete the 2026 GB3 season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the championship will contest its final round from 5–8 November. The event will provide another opportunity for Kräling and TJ Speed to work together before turning their attention towards the 2027 CTFROT.
The New Zealand campaign will also mark TJ Speed’s second season in the championship. The American outfit joined the series in 2026 and subsequently secured its place among the six teams that will compete during the new-generation Formula Regional era.
By retaining the relationship, both Kräling and the team can build on their GB3 experience as they prepare for a different competitive environment.
Tim Neff confident in Kräling’s potential
TJ Speed Motorsports Team Owner Tim Neff welcomed Kräling’s arrival, highlighting the German driver’s progression through karting and Formula 4 as evidence of his potential.
Neff believes Kräling’s experience across several competitive European championships will provide a valuable foundation as he adapts to Formula Regional machinery. However, the team also recognises the challenges involved in making the transition, particularly with the championship introducing a new car for 2027.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Arjen to TJ Speed Motorsports for the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy,” he added.
“He has shown strong potential throughout his karting and Formula 4 career and his experience competing in some of Europe’s most competitive championships will give him a solid foundation as he makes the step up to Formula Regional.
“The New Zealand championship is a fantastic opportunity for young drivers to develop, with plenty of track time and a very competitive field.
“Our goal is to help Arjen adapt quickly to the new car, continue his development and fight for strong results throughout the four rounds. I believe he has the talent and determination to be a real contender, and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
Neff’s comments underline TJ Speed’s ambition to challenge for competitive results while supporting Kräling’s longer-term development. The team’s experience in international junior single-seater racing should also provide valuable support as the German prepares for the New Zealand circuits.
Kräling joins competitive 22-car field for 2027
Kräling’s confirmation adds another international driver to a championship that has attracted considerable interest ahead of its transition to second-generation Formula Regional machinery.
Organisers have already confirmed a full 22-car grid for 2027, with six teams securing places for the four-round campaign. TJ Speed will compete alongside M2 Competition, mtec Motorsport, Hitech, Kiwi Motorsport and newcomer Rodin Motorsport.
Each team will field at least three cars, while four teams will operate an additional entry reserved for a New Zealand driver. The championship has also retained the possibility of a wildcard 23rd entry for the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix.
The expanded field reflects the series’ growing international reputation, particularly among drivers seeking competitive mileage before returning to European or American championships.
For Kräling, the strong competition should provide another valuable opportunity to assess his development against drivers from different racing backgrounds. His progression through Formula 4 and GB3 will offer some preparation, although the Formula Regional Trophy will introduce a new challenge in unfamiliar surroundings.
New GRF-70 introduces another challenge for 2027
The 2027 season will mark a significant technical change for the CTFROT, with the championship introducing the GRF-70 Formula Regional car.
The new GRF-70 replaces the Toyota FT-60, which has served the championship since 2020. Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand developed the updated package around the FIA Formula Regional Gen 2 Tatuus T-326 chassis, combining it with an evolution of Toyota’s established 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
The car will produce approximately 280 horsepower while retaining the push-to-pass system that the championship introduced in 2026. The new package also incorporates aerodynamic changes designed to improve racing and support driver development.
For Kräling, the transition will present an opportunity to gain experience in machinery that aligns more closely with the latest Formula Regional regulations elsewhere in the world.
The new car also strengthens the championship’s position within the FIA single-seater pathway, providing a progression from Formula 4 towards Formula Regional, FIA Formula 3 and higher categories.
Four-round New Zealand campaign begins in January
Kräling’s 2027 campaign will begin at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on 8–10 January, with the championship returning to the North Island circuit for its opening weekend.
The field will then travel to Taupo International Motorsport Park on 15–17 January before heading to Teretonga Park in Invercargill for Round 3 on 22–24 January. The season will conclude at Highlands Motorsport Park from 29–31 January, where drivers will contest the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix.
The compact four-round calendar will provide extensive testing, practice, qualifying and racing mileage over four consecutive weekends. As a result, drivers will have opportunities to improve their understanding of the new car while adapting to different circuit characteristics.
The championship will once again headline the Repco NextGen NZ Motorsport Championship programme, continuing its role as a major development platform for young drivers from New Zealand and overseas.
For Kräling, the immediate objective will be to gain as much experience as possible while challenging for podium finishes and victories. Following the New Zealand campaign, he intends to pursue further opportunities in Northern Hemisphere single-seater racing or LMP3 prototypes as he continues working towards a professional motorsport career.
