Junior single-seater racing kicks off for 2026 with the return of the rebranded Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, which holds its first of four rounds in four weeks this weekend at Hampton Downs. Here’s how you can follow the action.

By Feeder Series

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for – if you’re anything like us, at least. After almost a month away from racetracks, the drivers on the F1 ladder roar back into action this weekend at Hampton Downs outside Auckland, New Zealand, for the opening round of what is now called the FR Oceania Trophy. Read on to find out where to watch the sessions and who’ll be on the grid.

We’ll be keeping our weekend preview and weekend review format largely the same as last year’s. If you were one of our readers in 2025, welcome back! And if you’re a new reader, you’re in the right place. Our previews offer you a glimpse into the action to come in each series we cover along with the timetables, live timing and streaming information, weather forecasts and driver line-up changes you’ll want to know for each weekend.

1. FRegional Oceania: Round 1, Hampton Downs

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FRegional Oceania: Round 1, Hampton Downs

Circuit: Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, 3.800 km

Schedule: All times local (UTC+13)

Thursday 8 January

• 10:00–10:20: Test session group A
• 10:25–10:45: Test session group B
• 13:00–13:30: Test session 1
• 16:12–16:42: Test session 2

Friday 9 January

• 10:11–10:41: Free practice 1
• 13:09–13:39: Free practice 2
• 15:46–16:16: Free practice 3

Saturday 10 January

• 9:30–9:45: Qualifying 1
• 12:24–12:52: Race 1 
• 15:22–15:50: Race 2

Sunday 11 January

• 9:30–9:45: Qualifying 2
• 12:19–12:47: Race 3
• 15:56–16:30: Race 4

How to follow: Sessions will be streamed on Sky Sport New Zealand and on the Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ YouTube channel. Live timing is available on Speedhive. 

Weather forecast: Dry and sunny throughout the weekend. 

What to know: FR Oceania kicks off for the 2026 season, its first under the new FIA Regional Trophy format, this weekend at Hampton Downs. 

The series’ new structure will see four races take place during each round rather than three, the final round excepted. In addition, the series has also introduced a new push-to-pass feature to make overtaking easier. 

Nineteen drivers will race in the series this year, with Hitech and TJ Speed with HMD Motorsports joining as the two new teams. Notable drivers racing in the series this year include Freddie Slater, the 2025 FR Europe champion, who will enter as a title favourite. Slater, alongside eight other drivers, will be using the FR Oceania season as preparation for the upcoming F3 season.

Another driver to watch is Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time world rally champion who will make the swap to single-seaters this year, starting with his campaign in New Zealand. Read our season guide here to get the full lowdown on the grid.

Report by Kaylene Lau

All times and forecasts listed above are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, follow each series’ websites or social media pages.

Header photo credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ