Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
Roman Bilinski will add to his Formula Regional experience by racing in the Oceania series in New Zealand at the start of 2024.
The Polish-British driver has raced in the FRegional European Championship over the past two seasons, both with Trident. He scored a podium at the Hungaroring as one of two points finishes in 2022 as he finished 18th in the standings, while in 2023 he ended up 21st with a best finish of fifth at Zandvoort.
Bilinski has continued to drive with Trident in post-season testing over recent weeks, topping the timesheets at the Red Bull Ring, Mugello and Imola, and will join multiple champion squad M2 Competition in FROC.
“I am delighted to be racing with M2 Competition for the 2024 for the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Championship,” he said. “M2 Competition have shown themselves to be a top team so I am sure we can push each other to get some very positive results.”
Bilinski is one of two signings already announced for M2, the other being Korean Michael Shin who came 18th in GB3 this year with Hitech and took part in three FIA Formula 3 rounds for PHM by Charouz.
Team boss Mark Pilcher said: “Roman and his group have identified that FROC brings significant benefits to the 2024 main season campaign, with Pirelli tyres and FIA super licence points. We look forward to helping him prepare for a big 2024.”
In total, six drivers have so far been named for the FROC season which begins at Taupo on January 19-21.
These include Alex Crosbie, who has won New Zealand’s Formula Ford championship for the past two years and will line up with Giles Motorsport.
Elliott Cleary, the Western Australia Formula Ford champion in 2022, has signed with Mtec Motorsport alongside Brazilian Lucas Fecury, who will return for a second FROC campaign after coming ninth in USF Juniors this year.
American Jake Bonilla is the first signing for Kiwi Motorsport, having already contested a FReginonal Americas round at the Circuit of the Americas this year for the team in its partnership with Crosslink.