The winner of the 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) will earn a coveted place on the grid for the 2027 Macau Grand Prix, with the championship’s top Kiwi or Australian driver also securing an entry through the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
The announcement marks the most significant prize ever offered by New Zealand’s premier international single-seater championship, further strengthening its reputation as one of the world’s leading Formula Regional competitions.
The 2027 season will usher in a new era for the championship with the introduction of the Gen 2 Formula Regional car. The new machinery is expected to attract an expanded field of international teams and drivers, continuing the evolution of the series more than 20 years after the launch of the Toyota Racing Series.
CTFROT to provide drivers with a special opportunity in 2027 and beyond
Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol believes the opportunity offers drivers the chance to achieve something truly special.
“One driver could become only the third driver after Roberto Moreno and Richard Verschoor to have their names on both the New Zealand and Macau Grand Prix trophies, which is a very special achievement given they are the only two FIA-sanctioned events outside of F1 to legitimately be able to refer to themselves as Grands Prix.
“From 2026 there is even more significance for the Macau GP with it also becoming the FIA Formula Regional World Cup using the Gen 2 Formula Regional Tatuus chassis similar to that which we will use in New Zealand.”
The addition of a Macau Grand Prix entry further enhances the championship’s appeal, which Caillol says already offers drivers an ideal platform to prepare for competition around the world.
“Our championship has a unique attraction due to the high volume of mileage and the intense competition which is unrivalled in preparing drivers for northern hemisphere competition in Europe, America or Asia.
“We run at the most convenient time of the calendar year for them and we are the most cost effective FR competition in the world.
“Our track record of drivers who have gone on to compete at the highest level of motorsport is second to none at this level. That’s because of the level playing field we offer and the old-school nature of our tracks, which always reward the fastest drivers who learn the quickest and make the fewest mistakes.”
FIA’s new framework for the FIA Formula Regional World Cup, in partnership with the Macau Grand Prix
The overall 2027 CTFROT winner and the highest-placed New Zealand or Australian driver will represent Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand at Macau, effectively competing as “Team New Zealand” in one of motorsport’s most prestigious events.
The pair will compete in full GR colours and receive support from a New Zealand-based engineering team with extensive experience across Formula Regional, FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2. Their strong understanding of the Gen 2 Formula Regional package could prove a valuable asset as they take on some of the world’s leading teams and drivers.
The initiative follows the FIA’s introduction of a new invitation framework for the FIA Formula Regional World Cup, developed in partnership with the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee. The framework aims to combine sporting merit, international representation and competitive excellence while preserving the prestige and exclusivity that have long defined the Macau Grand Prix.
The 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy season will begin at Hampton Downs from 8-10 January before visiting Taupō and Teretonga. The championship will conclude with the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park from 29-31 January.
