Photo: Toyota GAZOO Racing NZ
Formula Regional Oceania has revealed the car to be used in 2027 as it adopts the FIA’s second-generation chassis regulations.
The new car, designated the GRF-70, is based on the FIA Formula Regional Gen-2 T‑326 Tatuus chassis, as already used in Europe and the Middle East. While those series have adopted Toyota engines prepared by Tatuus’ sister company, ATM, for 2026, the car to be used in New Zealand will be powered by an evolution of the 2.0‑litre turbocharged 8AR‑FTS Toyota engine as used by FR Oceania since 2020. Pirelli will continue to act as the tyre supplier for the series.
The ongoing collaboration with Tatuus came as no surprise. As Toyota GAZOO Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol explained: “The choice of the Tatuus chassis was an obvious one for us, continuing our relationship of more than 20 years. We started with the FT-40, then the FT-50 and most recently the FT-60 and all were high level, high performance and safe racing cars. We know that will continue with the GRF-70.”
The 2027 edition, the 22nd overall and the fifth run to the FIA’s Formula Regional regulations, will again comprise four events, each consisting of three races. The series begins at Hampton Downs near Auckland on 8-10 January before moving to Taupo International Motorsport Park one week later.
From there the teams head to the South Island for round three at Teretonga Park outside Invercargill on the southern tip of the country before rounding off the season at Highlands Motorsport Park, where drivers will compete in the 71st New Zealand Grand Prix on 31 January.
Rodin Motorsport will join the series in 2027, alongside regular entries from M2 Competition, mtec Motorsport, Kiwi Motorsport, Hitech GP, and TJ Speed Motorsport.
The overall FROT winner, as well as the best-placed driver from New Zealand or Australia, will be guaranteed an entry for the 2027 Macau GP, the FIA’s blue riband event bringing together its top Formula Regional drivers and teams from all its global series.
Caillol stresses that the move to the Gen-2 chassis unerlines the series’ commitment to the FIA’s pyramid, as well as demonstrating “our own commitment to finding New Zealand’s next World Champion.
“There is a lot of work to do between now and the 2027 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy, but we will be ready, with a field of up to 22 cars.” Caillol is confident that FROT can build on its successful 2026 running with a full grid of top local and international drivers, particularly with the geopolitical situation in the Middle East still uncertain.
“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,” Caillol maintains.