Hitech Confirm Team For New Zealand
The team will enter as Hitech TGR, embarking on a long-term commitment to the New Zealand-based championship. It becomes the sixth team competing in the FR Oceania Trophy alongside Giles Motorsport, Kiwi Motorsport, M2 Competition, mtec Motorsport and recently confirmed HMD Motorsport with TJ Speed for 2026.
Hitech's first full campaign was a three-car entry in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European championship, and they have since expanded into FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, GB3, British Formula 4, Formula Winter Series and F1 Academy. The team has also competed in the Formula Regional European, Asian, and Middle East series, and in 2019 Hitech was selected by the FIA to operate the full grid of cars in the former W Series, which utilised similar chassis to those used in New Zealand.
The team's record of success across the single-seater categories is impressive and former drivers include George Russell, Alex Palou, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Marcus Armstrong, Dennis Hauger, Sebastian Montoya, Jack Doohan and Juri Vips. The team currently sits third in the FIA F2 Teams' Standings with Luke Browning and Dino Beganovic, and is leading the British F4 Championship for a second successive season.
Hitech has previously entrusted a number of its drivers to the New Zealand championship to further their development. Consolidating its commitment to the series was a natural step for the team as it continues to extend its presence in key international junior single-seater categories and series.
"We are excited to be joining the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy with an official three-car Hitech entry from the 2026 season,' confirmed Hitech GB3 Team Manager Phil Blow, who will head up the New Zealand effort.
'In recent years, we have sent Hitech drivers to the series for off-season mileage and to gain further experience, but as the championship continues to go from strength to strength, the time is right for us to have a fully-fledged Hitech team in New Zealand.
'As ever, we look forward to the competition, and to providing three young drivers in the region with the opportunity to gain a foothold on the junior single-seater ladder and begin their progression.'
The news follows confirmation recently that US outfit HMD Motorsport with TJ Speed will join the 2026 championship and follows a raft of changes to the series to make it easier for Northern hemisphere teams and drivers to take part in the entire championship and not face date clashes with testing for other series.
'This is the sixth team for the 2026 championship and is another with an exceptionally high profile and track record in international motorsport, so this is only good news for the championship," commented TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand motorsport manager Nicolas Caillol.
2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
Rd1 - 9-11 January - Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park
Rd2 - 16-18 January - Taupo International Motorsport Park
Rd3 - 23-25 January - Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill
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