Victory in the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix marked the emotional high point of a demanding 2026 CTFROT campaign and a career-defining moment in one of motorsport’s most historic events for mtec Motorsport’s Zack Scoular. After a season shaped by strong pace but repeated setbacks, the mtec Motorsport driver delivered a measured, mature performance when it mattered most. He controlled the race from the front, handled pressure through multiple interruptions, and finally converted potential into a result that will endure long beyond the chequered flag.
The significance of the moment was immediately clear as Scoular reflected on the journey that led him there. Months of frustration, missed opportunities and resilience came flooding out as he spoke in victory lane.
“Oh my days, you know we’ve had such a tough year. The pace we’ve shown all year was really good. Just so many unlucky moments, but to top it off like that, you know, probably the last race I was in single seater for, you know, the time for the future. But yeah, I can’t thank the team at mtec enough, my family, everyone else involved, it means so much.”
The win did not simply cap off a weekend. It represented closure, reward and vindication for a driver who never doubted his speed, even when results failed to reflect it.
Family sacrifice at the heart of the journey
Behind Scoular’s on-track success sat a deeper story of commitment and sacrifice. His family followed him to every race, standing by him through difficult seasons and the financial pressures that come with building a career in junior single-seater racing. Their presence remained constant, whether results went his way or not.
That support took on even greater meaning as Scoular stood as a Grand Prix winner, able to finally give something tangible back to those who invested so much in his dream.
“Yeah, I mean I couldn’t do it without them, you know. It’s not easy being a racing driver, especially financially, but you know, we do a lot to try and get going and, you know, to be able to pay them back with this win means so much.”
The victory transformed years of quiet sacrifice into a shared achievement, one that extended far beyond the driver alone.
The Tony Quinn Foundation connection
Scoular’s career path also remained closely linked to the Tony Quinn Foundation, whose backing proved instrumental in keeping his progression on track. That relationship carried both personal and professional weight, and its presence in victory lane highlighted the wider network behind his success.
As he celebrated the Grand Prix win, Scoular made clear how much that ongoing support continued to mean to him.
“Yeah, no, he does,” Scoular said when asked whether he maintained a good relationship with and the support of Tony Quinn. You know, obviously end of 2024, I think it was, winning the TQF Shootout meant a lot. And, you know, to be able to still carry the Tony Quinn Foundation on my race suit means so much.”
The moment reinforced how the triumph represented a shared success, rewarding faith placed in him well before the season reached its climax.
Scoular on managing the race and the moment that earned him the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix title and his third 2026 CTFROT win
Although the race concluded behind the Safety Car, Scoular had already shaped the outcome through disciplined execution and intelligent tyre management. He built a gap during the closing stages and maintained control even as interruptions threatened to reset the field.
From the cockpit, his focus never wavered. As soon as the Safety Car appeared, the task became about composure rather than outright pace.
“Yeah, I mean, I didn’t really have much work, you know. Towards the end of the race, we started pulling up a bit of a gap, you know, started getting my head down a bit after managing the tyre. And, but then as soon as I saw that Safety Car, I sort of knew, and I was like, we just have to get around for one more lap.”
He concluded, “And then there it was.”
A defining win in a historic race
Winning the New Zealand Grand Prix places Scoular among an exclusive group of drivers whose names remain permanently etched into motorsport history. For him, the result carried added weight as it arrived at a pivotal point in his career, offering both validation and a fitting farewell to his time in single-seater racing as he prepares to step into LMP3.
After a challenging season and a long road to the top step, Scoular delivered when it counted most, turning perseverance into legacy on one of the sport’s most revered stages.
