TOYOTA GAZOO Racing NZ has confirmed further changes to the 2026 format of New Zealand’s premier single-seater championship, the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). As a result, organisers aim to intensify on-track action while delivering even greater value for drivers and teams. Moreover, these updates arrive alongside the previously announced switch from a five-weekend championship to a four-weekend format. Consequently, the revised calendar avoids clashes with northern hemisphere testing programmes in IndyNXT and European junior formulae.
Four races per weekend outside the Grand Prix
Importantly, aside from the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend, each of the first three rounds will now feature four races. Specifically, drivers will contest qualifying and two races on both Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, competitors will benefit from increased racing opportunities across each event.
Meanwhile, the first three races of every weekend will run over 70 kilometres. In contrast, the longer Sunday afternoon feature race will cover 90 kilometres. Notably, these feature races will decide the championship’s most famous honours, including the Dorothy Smith Memorial Trophy, the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy and the Spirit of a Nation Cup.
However, the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend will retain its traditional and prestigious format. Once again, Highlands Motorsport Park will host the event in 2026. Accordingly, the weekend will feature Grand Prix-style qualifying, including two knockout sessions followed by a top-ten shootout for grid positions.
Furthermore, the Grand Prix race itself remains the season’s ultimate test. At 109 kilometres, it stands as the longest and most demanding race on the calendar. Crucially, it also remains one of only two races outside Formula 1, alongside the Macau Grand Prix, to hold official FIA recognition as a Grand Prix event.
Notable changes ahead of the new season
Despite the condensed calendar, total mileage remains a key strength of the series. In fact, drivers can still accumulate more than 2,900 kilometres over the season. Therefore, the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy continues to position itself as arguably the world’s best value-for-money FIA Formula Regional Championship.
Among other notable changes, each driver will now receive five new sets of Pirelli tyres per weekend. Previously, competitors received just three sets. As a result, teams will enjoy far greater flexibility in their weekend approach.
Specifically, drivers must use two tyre sets during Thursday’s two 30-minute test sessions and Friday’s three 30-minute Free Practice sessions. Consequently, three new sets will remain available for the two 15-minute qualifying sessions and the four races. Therefore, tyre management and strategic planning will play an even bigger role.
In addition, a brand-new push-to-pass system will debut on the Toyota FT60 cars for the 2026 season. This system will provide each car with an extra 25 horsepower. As a result, overtaking opportunities should increase significantly.
Before the season begins in January, organisers will complete extensive testing of the system. Accordingly, they will define optimal usage conditions to ensure closer racing and more tactical passing.
“Push to pass and the extra tyres will definitely add new elements of strategy for both drivers and teams over the whole weekend and they are changes which are definitely designed to promote passing and closer racing,” explained TGRNZ Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol.
Finally, the FIA World Council approved the format changes at its meeting last month. Almost immediately, the announcement generated strong interest from professional racing teams worldwide. Therefore, the revised format appears set to enhance both the spectacle and global appeal of the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy in 2026.
