Australian formula driver Patrick Heuzenroeder will make his Formula Regional debut when he takes part in the 2025 Castrol FR Oceania Championship beginning in January.
It will also be the first time the former Formula Ford, British Formula 4 and GB3 Championship driver has competed on New Zealand’s challenging and unforgiving tracks.
Patrick embarked on his motorsport career at 13-years-old after a chance visit to Sydney’s Eastern Creek go-kart circuit ignited his passion for racing.
After kart racing in Australia for the following three years, Patrick made the jump to cars and circuit racing, competing in the 2022 NSW Formula Ford Championship where he was third overall in the standings before departing for the UK after his skill was recognised by Ferrari when Patrick earned a top six finals place from 24 competitors in the 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific trials.
2023 brought a season in British Formula 4 where the highlight of multiple top ten finishes in a competitive field of more than 20 drivers was an impressive third place at the demanding Snetterton track in Norfolk.
For 2024 he moved up a gear and into GB3, Britain’s top single seater series, where he once again established himself as a regular points scorer and top five finisher. Another podium finish in third at the annual ‘away’ round at the Zandvoort Grand Prix circuit helped him to an impressive 12th overall from more than 30 drivers.
The Sydney driver will join MTEC for his first ever campaign across the Tasman and will be overseen by team principal and fellow countryman Bruin Beasley. He will also have the benefit of the support of another Australian legendary driver with Patrick’s mentor, ex-F1 and 3x Le Mans 24 Hour winner, David Brabham, to be present at a number of the rounds.
He’s relishing the challenge of taking on some of the best young drivers in the world in a championship that has produced multiple F1, Indycar, Formula E and WEC drivers.
“I’m really looking forward to racing over the summer throughout New Zealand in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship with the experienced MTEC team.
Coming off the back of my maiden GB3 season in the UK with a strong performance in a competitive field I am excited to drive a new car, race on new tracks and put myself up against some of the best drivers in the world.
“With five race weekends back-to-back, it will be a great challenge and fantastic opportunity to prepare for my 2025 campaign in Europe.”
Beasley is also looking forward to seeing how well his young charge goes in the five round championship, which includes the iconic New Zealand Grand Prix as its final weekend.
“Having fellow Aussie Patrick as part of our 2025 CTFROC team is fantastic, his pace is well documented and with some high level people in his corner the expectations are high,” he explained.
“We are really looking forward to working with him, it’s been exciting to see his progression over the last few years, and I’m sure he will be very competitive come January.”
Words & Images: Supplied
