IA Formula 3 (F3) race winner Pedro Clerot will compete in the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), joining Rodin Motorsport for the team’s inaugural campaign in New Zealand. The Brazilian will use the four-round championship to prepare for his second F3 season, with both programmes forming part of his continued partnership with the New Zealand-owned outfit.
Clerot arrives following an impressive rookie F3 campaign in 2026, which included his maiden victory at Madrid and four additional podium finishes. The 19-year-old finished sixth in the Drivers’ Championship and will now aim to build on that momentum before returning to the international single-seater series in March.
His participation also strengthens Rodin’s CTFROT line-up as the team prepares to enter the championship during its transition to second-generation Formula Regional machinery.
Clerot builds on successful rookie F3 campaign
Clerot’s confirmation follows a competitive first season in F3, during which he established himself among the championship’s leading rookies. Competing with Rodin Motorsport, the Brazilian demonstrated consistent front-running pace and finished sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with 88 points, securing five podium finishes across the campaign.
His season included strong performances at Monaco, Spielberg, Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps, although several missed opportunities prevented him from translating his speed into an earlier victory. Nevertheless, Clerot continued improving throughout the year, developing his understanding of qualifying, tyre management and race execution alongside the team.
His breakthrough eventually came during the season finale at the Madring, where he secured his maiden F3 victory in Feature Race 1. After narrowly missing pole position, the Brazilian made an excellent start and moved ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Taito Kato before controlling the race through several interruptions.
Clerot subsequently finished third in Feature Race 2, completing a double-podium weekend and bringing his rookie season to a successful conclusion.
The performances provided a significant confidence boost as he began preparing for another campaign with Rodin.
Madrid breakthrough provides momentum for 2027
Clerot’s victory in Madrid represented an important milestone after a season in which he frequently demonstrated the pace to challenge at the front without securing the results he believed were possible.
The Brazilian’s assessment of his rookie campaign highlighted the progress made throughout 2026, particularly as he gained experience managing the demands of a closely contested championship.
His consistency eventually allowed him to finish sixth overall, level on points with fifth-placed Théophile Naël but behind the Frenchman on countback. Clerot also completed the season as the third-highest-ranked rookie, underlining his competitiveness against more experienced drivers.
Following the championship finale, Rodin confirmed that Clerot would remain with the team for 2027, maintaining an established partnership as the Brazilian prepares to challenge for further victories.
The CTFROT campaign will now provide an additional opportunity to strengthen that relationship before the European racing season begins.
Rather than entering F3 directly after the winter break, Clerot will gain further competitive experience across four consecutive weekends, allowing him to maintain his racecraft while developing his understanding of different circuits and conditions.
Previous Formula Regional experience provides strong foundation
Before graduating to F3, Clerot developed an impressive record across the junior single-seater categories, beginning with his success in Brazilian motorsport.
The Brasília-born driver claimed the inaugural Brazilian F4 Championship in 2022, establishing himself as one of the country’s promising young talents before progressing to European competition.
After gaining experience in Spanish F4, he moved into the Formula Regional European Championship, contesting the category in both 2024 and 2025.
His second European Formula Regional campaign proved particularly successful, with Clerot securing two victories and six podium finishes on his way to fourth in the Drivers’ Championship. The performances demonstrated his ability to compete consistently against experienced international opposition and helped secure his subsequent promotion to F3.
Although Clerot will return to Formula Regional machinery in New Zealand, the 2027 championship will feature a substantially different technical package from the one used during his earlier European campaigns.
Nevertheless, his previous experience should provide a foundation as he adapts to the new car, particularly with the championship offering extensive track time across its condensed January calendar.
Clerot welcomes opportunity to compete in new-generation CTFROT
The 2027 CTFROT will introduce the Toyota GRF-70, replacing the FT-60 machinery that has been used since 2020. Based on the second-generation Tatuus T-326 chassis, the new car features updated aerodynamic and safety systems alongside an evolved version of Toyota’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
The package produces approximately 280 horsepower and retains a push-to-pass system, with Pirelli continuing as the championship’s tyre supplier.
For Clerot, the introduction of new machinery adds another challenge to his New Zealand campaign. However, he believes the championship will provide valuable preparation for his second year in F3, particularly as he targets further improvements in his performance.
“With the new car, the championship is going to be a very interesting challenge, and I’m really happy to continue my preparation for my second season with Rodin in FIA Formula 3. Obviously, we’ll be aiming to fight for the championship and looking to be at the front.”
Clerot’s comments underline his ambitions for the series, with the Brazilian approaching the campaign as both a competitive opportunity and an important stage in his preparations for 2027.
Rodin Motorsport prepares for debut on home soil
Rodin Motorsport will make its CTFROT debut in January, expanding its international junior racing operations into a championship with longstanding connections to New Zealand motorsport.
Although the organisation operates several programmes from its British base, Rodin is New Zealand-owned and has maintained close links with the country’s racing development pathway.
The team’s participation therefore represents an opportunity to strengthen those connections while providing emerging drivers with experience in a championship that has previously featured several future Formula 1 competitors.
Clerot joins a growing Rodin line-up for 2027, alongside fellow F3-bound driver Reza Seewooruthun, who will also use the New Zealand championship to prepare for his upcoming season. Meanwhile, local racer Toby McCormack will represent the team as he targets podium finishes and the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
Rodin Sporting Director Benn Huntingford welcomed the team’s latest commitment, highlighting the championship’s reputation for developing young drivers.
“CTFROT has a long history of attracting some of the most promising young talent and with Rodin’s roots in New Zealand, this programme is a natural fit for us. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Clerot targets championship success alongside F3 preparation
Although Clerot’s primary objective remains preparing for his second F3 campaign, he has made clear that he intends to compete for the CTFROT title.
The championship’s compact structure will provide a different challenge from his previous programmes, with four consecutive race weekends requiring drivers to adapt quickly while maintaining consistency across practice, qualifying and racing.
Organisers expect competitors to complete approximately 3,500 kilometres of running during the championship, providing substantial track time over a relatively short period.
Clerot believes the opportunity to accumulate competitive mileage will be particularly valuable before returning to F3, where limited practice sessions place significant pressure on drivers to adapt quickly.
“The time in the car, the focus on mileage and a packed timetable of testing, practice, qualifying and racing will be really valuable for me in preparation for my F3 season. I’m very much looking forward to travelling to New Zealand and being part of the team in its first season in CTFROT.”
His experience in Formula Regional and F3 should make him a strong contender, although the introduction of new machinery will create additional uncertainty regarding the competitive order.
CTFROT prepares for full 22-car grid in 2027
Clerot’s confirmation comes as the championship prepares for a significant new chapter, with the 2027 CTFROT attracting a full 22-car grid across six teams.
Rodin Motorsport will join returning competitors M2 Competition, Hitech, Kiwi Motorsport, mtec Motorsport and TJ Speed Motorsports. Each organisation has been allocated three cars, with four additional entries reserved for New Zealand drivers.
The championship will feature four rounds across New Zealand’s North and South Islands, concluding with the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix.
The confirmed calendar is as follows:
- Hampton Downs Motorsport Park: 8–10 January 2027
- Taupo International Motorsport Park: 15–17 January 2027
- Teretonga Park: 22–24 January 2027
- Highlands Motorsport Park: 29–31 January 2027
The schedule will provide Clerot with experience at four unfamiliar circuits, presenting different technical challenges before his return to F3.
Furthermore, the championship winner will receive an opportunity to compete at the 2027 Macau Grand Prix, adding another incentive for drivers targeting the overall title.
Clerot looks to carry CTFROT momentum into second F3 season
Clerot’s participation in the 2027 CTFROT represents another step in his preparations for a potential championship challenge during his second F3 campaign.
Having secured a maiden victory and five podium finishes during his rookie season, the Brazilian has already demonstrated his ability to compete against established drivers. However, he will now aim to translate that pace into greater consistency while continuing his development with Rodin Motorsport.
The New Zealand championship provides an opportunity to gain additional competitive mileage, experience different circuits and maintain his momentum during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
For Rodin, the campaign will also mark the beginning of its involvement in CTFROT, with Clerot among the experienced junior single-seater competitors leading its debut effort.
With both driver and team targeting success, the opening round at Hampton Downs in January will begin an important period of preparation ahead of the 2027 F3 season.
