Chinese junior racing driver Yuanpu Cui will compete in the prestigious 2026 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy. He will race with mtec Motorsport in this highly competitive four-round series, which begins in January at Hampton Downs and concludes with the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Rising star in motorsport
Many have long recognised Cui, from Xi’An in Shaanxi Province, as one of China’s brightest young motorsport talents. He began his career at just eight years old by starting karting, and his success has only grown since.
In fact, he was a former World Series Karting (WSK) race winner and has excelled in various junior racing categories. Notably, he won in both British Formula 4 and F4 China, showcasing his adaptability and racing skills.
Cui has extensive experience in Formula racing, most recently participating in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship in 2024, as well as competing in the Formula Regional European Championship at Hockenheim and Circuit de Catalunya. Additionally, he had a strong performance in GB3 during his first season in 2025, before switching teams mid-season.
He has quickly progressed in his motorsport journey, making his mark in karting as well as in various Formula 4 and Formula Regional series across Europe and the Middle East.
A new challenge in New Zealand
Cui will now shift his focus to the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Championship, aiming to continue his development and prove himself at a high level. “I am focussed on just performing to the best of my ability and trying to achieve some good results,” he said. He added, “Of course I am very excited to be racing in New Zealand with mtec, it will be very challenging and it is a high level competition.”
With his recent experience in top-tier European competitions, Cui heads into the 2026 season with confidence. As the first driver confirmed for mtec Motorsport, his presence in the team could mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in the 2026 FR Oceania Trophy. The young driver is eager to push himself further, building on his early career success and focusing on his growth as a competitive racer.
