American rising star Ugo Ugochukwu stamped his authority on the opening round of the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) at Hampton Downs, taking two race wins and the early championship lead. While his focus was firmly on the track, the 2026 CTFROT weekend marked a significant moment for Toyota, New Zealand motorsport, and the global push towards sustainability in racing.
A smooth transition to increased sustainability in CTFROT 2026
The first round of the championship took place on FT60 chassis cars running entirely on FU3L synthetic biofuel, making the series one of the most sustainably powered single-seater championships in the world. The performance of the new fuel under competitive conditions was a key focus, given the addition of a new “push-to-pass” system providing an extra 25bhp for up to ten seconds, to be used six times per race.
Despite these added challenges, the Toyota FT60 engines delivered flawless performance across all 19 cars, which covered over 700km during the weekend in total.
“The new FU3L sustainable fuel performed way beyond our expectations in what is always a challenging environment but a little more so this year with the different engine characteristics associated with the push to pass addition,” explained Nicolas Caillol, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager.
“The change to the fuel has been seamless.”
FU3L is a synthetic biofuel company that develops advanced, drop-in fuel formulations compatible with existing engines and infrastructure. The fuels are synthesised from second-generation biomass feedstocks, primarily agricultural and forestry residues, independent of food or feed supply chains. During combustion, the CO₂ released aligns with the biogenic carbon absorbed during biomass growth, creating a near-closed carbon cycle and a significantly lower greenhouse gas footprint compared to fossil fuels.
The fuels undergo extensive testing across motorsport, aviation, maritime, industrial, and road transport applications to ensure performance, reliability, and environmental integrity. The product portfolio, including DRV3, RAC3, HRZ3N, and XP3RT lines, caters to specific performance demands while meeting sustainability objectives.
International interest elevates championship
The opening round attracted global attention, with over 120,000 livestream viewers tuning in to watch the likes of Ugochukwu, Supercars ace Ryan Wood, Brit Freddie Slater, and two-time World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä from Finland.
With the added technology and international talent on display, FU3L fuel’s smooth performance was a major achievement. All 19 cars ran reliably, showing that sustainable motorsport can match the high-performance expectations of a competitive single-seater championship.
Toyota strengthens its sustainability commitment
The adoption of FU3L biofuel in the 2026 CTFROT is part of Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s broader strategy to improve sustainability and to achieve carbon neutrality across its domestic racing categories. The move reinforces TGRNZ’s long-term commitment to environmentally conscious motorsport while maintaining the series’ reputation as a competitive pathway for future top-level drivers. TGRNZ aims to extend this approach beyond a single championship, setting new standards for sustainability in motorsport both in New Zealand and abroad.
A milestone weekend for sustainability in motorsport at CTFROT 2026
Ugochukwu’s victories highlighted the on-track drama, but the real story was the seamless integration of sustainable fuel technology into a top-tier racing environment. The combination of high-level competition, advanced biofuel, and innovative car systems showcased a blueprint for the future of environmentally responsible motorsport.
As the championship continues, all eyes will be on how the drivers, teams, and FU3L fuel perform across the remaining rounds, marking a new era for sustainable single-seater racing.
