The next-generation Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy car – the GRF-70 – has been officially unveiled at GAZOO Racing New Zealand’s headquarters at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
The new car is based on the FIA Formula Regional Gen 2 T‑326 Tatuus chassis, as used in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC), and will be powered by an evolution of the proven 2.0‑litre turbocharged 8AR‑FTS engine used in the New Zealand series since 2020.
Lainate, Italy-based manufacturer Tatuus has supplied all previous generations of the Toyota-powered single-seaters since 2005, and this continues with the sleek new GRF-70.
“Following our close collaboration with FIA – being an official FIA Formula Regional Championship since 2023 – it was natural for us to follow the introduction of the Formula Regional Gen2 cars, which happened in 2026 globally,” explained GAZOO Racing New Zealand Motorsport Manager Nicolas Caillol.
“The choice of the Tatuus chassis was an obvious one for us, continuing our relationship of more than 20 years. We believe this is the longest relationship Tatuus has had with any championship. 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.
“And for those interested, the change of prefix for the next generation of car from FT to GRF simply reflects the embedding of the single-seater programme into GAZOO Racing DNA. In other words, we move from Formula Toyota (FT) to GR Formula (GRF).”
Initial testing of the new car – in the hands of former NZ Grand Prix winner Liam Sceats – has already begun, and a batch of 22 cars will be built in time for the next Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy, which begins in January.
As with all previous seasons of the NZ-based series, teams will receive the cars on the Monday before the first race weekend, ensuring everyone starts on a level playing field. Six teams will begin the next generation of the championship – M2 Competition, mtec Motorsport, Kiwi Motorsport, Hitech GP, TJ Speed Motorsport and new entrant Rodin Motorsport.
The GRF-70 package is fully aligned with the FIA’s Gen 2 targets for performance, efficiency and sustainability, reflecting GAZOO Racing’s commitment to pushing technical limits while remaining relevant to real-world vehicle development.
It will produce approximately 280 horsepower. Pirelli – the nominated tyre supplier for all Formula Regional Championship and Trophy series – will continue to supply the New Zealand cars.
Caillol says the new car will be a significant step forward in several areas from previous global junior formulae designs.
“A lot of work has been done by FIA and Tatuus into the Formula Regional Gen2 car,” he added. “That has involved a focus on improvement at every level – an approach which is in line with both the GAZOO Racing and Toyota ‘kaizen’ approach.
“Work has been done by the FIA, with support of engineers from F1, to design a car which would allow the drivers to drive closer to each other and offer better opportunities for passing, and that has meant a lot of work has been done on the aerodynamic side of the Gen2 car.
“The previous generation was widely criticised for driver comfort, and this is another area where Gen 2 machinery has made a significant step forward. The design offers a better seating position for the driver and can accommodate a wider range of driver heights.
“A redesign of the front suspension means less effort is required on the steering wheel, which had been another hot topic of discussion in the past.
“We have a successful and reliable power plant for the new car in the 8AR-FTS engine, which we have been using since 2020 in the FT-60. But as with everything, we have focussed on continuous improvement and David Gouk, our engine developer and builder, has worked on enhancing the package by redesigning some components to produce a lighter version of the engine we used in the FT-60.”
“Power will be in line with the regulations from the FIA and will stay similar to what we had in the past. We also carry over the push-to-pass system which was successfully introduced last year and instantly improved the racing.”
The switch to the Gen 2 car underlines Toyota and GAZOO Racing’s long-standing commitment to the FIA’s single-seater pyramid as a logical progression for drivers from FIA-certified Formula 4, through FIA Formula Regional, and on to FIA Formula 3 and beyond – while ensuring the cars and competition remain true to the principles of high-performance, driver-first motorsport.
“And of course it also shows our own commitment to finding New Zealand’s next World Champion,” concluded Caillol. “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.
“Today the motorsport world gets its first glimpse of what is to come.”
Header Image: Andy Kruy
