Liam Sceats will return to the New Zealand Grand Prix grid this weekend with one clear objective: to win the country’s biggest single-seater race for a second time. The 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix winner has secured a last-minute deal to contest the 70th running of the iconic event, reuniting with the Toyota FT60 and reigniting a partnership that already delivered Grand Prix glory. Sceats joins the existing 19-man 2026 CTFROT at Highlands Motorsport Park for the New Zealand Grand Prix.
Sceats will race with TJ Speed under the HMD Motorsports banner, a combination that has already tasted success this season. He will take to the track for the first time on Thursday as he prepares for a focused assault on one of the most prestigious prizes in New Zealand motorsport.
Proven pace In Oceania
Sceats built his New Zealand Grand Prix credentials during a standout 2024 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship campaign. He finished runner-up to Roman Bilinski after a season that produced three race wins and a further five podium finishes. His defining moment came in the Grand Prix itself, where he dominated the longest and most physically demanding race of the championship.
Despite the strength of the 2026 Trophy field, widely regarded as one of the most competitive ever assembled in New Zealand, Sceats remains convinced that history can repeat itself.
“Yes, I believe I can,” he said when asked if he could take the New Zealand grand Prix win again. “I did two seasons in this exact car in 2023 and 2024. Yes, it was a couple of years ago now, but I’m still feeling confident.”
Despite his confidence, he knows the scale of the challenge ahead, especially with limited preparation compared to his rivals.
“I’d love to be fighting for my second win. Obviously, that’s the focus going into the weekend. At the same time, I realise that stepping in right at the end of the championship, when everyone else has been racing for three weekends straight prior to this, is not an easy task.”
A chance to solidify his place among the greats
A second New Zealand Grand Prix victory would place Sceats among a select group of multiple winners, a list that includes legends such as Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill and Nick Cassidy. The opportunity carries extra weight given the race’s history and the calibre of drivers who have succeeded before him.
Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ pushed hard to secure Sceats a place on the grid, while long-time partner Castrol stepped in to support the one-off programme.
“It all started with Nico Caillol and Josh Greenland of Toyota floating the idea with me. I’ve had a tough season trying to make it all work in the USA so I was obviously super keen.”
Sceats balancing ambition and reality ahead of 2026 CTFROT return for New Zealand Grand Prix
Sceats continues to juggle ambition with financial reality as he plans his next career steps overseas. The Grand Prix opportunity arrived at a time when every decision carries long-term consequences.
“For me, if I could do this race every single year, I would. But I’m in a position where I have to focus my very limited finances on putting together a full-season campaign overseas in 2026. At the level I’m at now, anything I look to do is heading toward close to a million dollars NZ, so I do have to save where I can. But with everyone’s support, this is a ‘must do’ and I want to win it again.”
A career built on results
Born on 20 September 2005, Sceats has already compiled an impressive international CV. After progressing through karting and Formula Ford, he debuted in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship in 2023 and finished fourth overall with three podiums. He returned in 2024 and claimed pole positions, race wins and ultimately his New Zealand Grand Prix triumph, finishing second in the championship.
He also impressed abroad. In 2023, he raced in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship, claimed three wins and became the first foreign driver to win a race in the series, before finishing second overall. In 2024, he moved to the United States with TJ Speed Motorsports in USF Pro 2000, secured a race win at Indianapolis and ended the season fifth in the standings. He then stepped up to Indy NXT in 2025 with HMD Motorsports, finishing the year with five top-10 results.
Gratitude behind the scenes
Amidst his success, Sceats has earned a reputation as a driver willing to do the hard work away from the circuit, and he made a point of acknowledging those who helped turn the Grand Prix entry into reality.
“You often hear people thank their sponsors, but in my case they haven’t just been important they have been pivotal, so I do want to say a big thank you to Stefan Tolich of Ray Haslar Autohaus, Todd Bawden at Online Contractors, Russell Sherwin from Pro Drill, the LegaSea Group, Steve and Christine Horne from Tasman Motorsport Group and Omega Rental Cars.”
He also highlighted the personal support network that continues to shape his career.
“They all love their racing and are putting their faith and support to me this coming weekend and I am truly grateful. I also want to acknowledge my performance coach Shane McConigly, as well as the mentors and advisors who’ve helped guide me to this point. And of course, my Mum and Dad, who’ve supported me every step of the way.”
The 2026 New Zealand Grand Prix schedule at Highlands
Sceats and the rest of the 2026 CTFROT field will complete two collective test sessions on Thursday, followed by three official practice sessions on Friday ahead of the New Zealand Grand Prix. He will skip the rescheduled ‘catch up’ race on Friday night at Highlands, which organisers added after weather disruption at Teretonga, but he will compete throughout Saturday and Sunday as he chases a second Grand Prix crown.
