Skip Barber Formula 4 racer Trevor LaTourette has secured a last-minute seat for the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT). LaTourette will race with HMD Motorsports by TJ Speed, joining the 2026 CTFROT grid just days before the championship begins in New Zealand.
The four-round series opens this weekend at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and concludes in early February with the 70th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix. CTFROT remains one of the most competitive winter championships for emerging single-seater talent, drawing a global audience and a high-calibre field.
Momentum built in Formula 4 and prototypes
LaTourette brings strong recent form into the series. He recorded four consecutive podium finishes during the 2025 Formula 4 Championship and finished fourth overall despite missing four races. He also broadened his experience by competing in the prototype class of the World Racing League, demonstrating adaptability across different racing disciplines.
That combination of pace and versatility earned him the opportunity to step up with HMD Motorsports by TJ Speed at short notice. He now enters his first CTFROT campaign focused on development and competitiveness.
“My primary goal for the 2026 CTFROT season is to continue developing as a driver and hopefully put myself in a position to fight at the front,” he said. “This year’s grid is extremely competitive, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete against drivers of this calibre alongside an equally competitive team. This is a big step forward in my career I’m excited to be doing it in a high-standard environment such as CTFROT.”
Late start, rapid progress
LaTourette’s route into motorsport began only in 2021 when, while recovering from illness in hospital, he discovered Formula 1 and soon moved into sim racing. He made the transition to real-world competition in 2023, driving a Formula 4 car with the Skip Barber Racing School. The 2025 season marked his first partial year in Formula 4 and his first outings in prototypes. Despite limited experience, he arrives in New Zealand confident and motivated.
“My start in this sport did come later than most,” he explained. “This season will be a trial by fire, but I’m excited to face the challenges head on in front of a worldwide audience.”
Track action begins with testing on Thursday as LaTourette prepares for his next major step.
