KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 26-29 JUNE WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s another busy weekend for Kiwi competitors around the globe, with drivers and riders set to race across Formula 1, Formula 3, NASCAR, IMSA, Porsche Carrera Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Moto3 competition.
Leading the charge is Liam Lawson, who returns to Formula 1 action for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. The Kiwi will be looking to continue building momentum as the championship reaches Round 8, with the Spielberg circuit providing one of the most demanding tests on the calendar.
Joining him in Austria is fellow New Zealander Louis Sharp, who takes on Round 4 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship. The talented teenager continues his debut campaign with PREMA Racing on the Formula 1 support bill and will be aiming for another strong performance at one of Europe’s most iconic venues.
Across the Atlantic in the United States, Shane van Gisbergen heads to Sonoma Raceway for Round 18 of the NASCAR Cup Series. The road-course specialist has already proven himself a race-winning force in NASCAR and will be among the favourites as the championship returns to one of its most challenging circuits.
On two wheels, Cormac Buchanan continues his Moto3 World Championship campaign at the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen. The Southland rider returns for Round 10 of the season, looking to build on what has been a difficult season so far.
Watkins Glen International hosts a busy weekend of sports car racing, with several Kiwi drivers competing across multiple categories.
Callum Hedge returns to action in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America for Round 4 of the championship. The young New Zealander has enjoyed a strong season and will be aiming to continue his push towards the front of the highly competitive one-make series.
The famous Six Hours of the Glen also marks Round 6 of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Earl Bamber will represent New Zealand in the premier GTP category with Cadillac Whelen, while Hunter McElrea contests the LMP2 class with United Autosports USA. Jaxon Evans will also be in action in the GTD class with Inception Racing.
Supporting the IMSA event is Round 5 of the Michelin Pilot Challenge, where Madeline Stewart returns to competition in the GS class with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport.
Also competing at the historic New York circuit is Will Bamber, who takes on Round 3 of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America with XONINE Racing. The one-make Lamborghini championship continues to attract strong fields, providing another opportunity for the Kiwi driver to challenge for silverware.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Spa-Francorchamps hosts Round 3 of Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe. Brendon Leitch will fly the New Zealand flag in the Pro-Am class with Leipert Motorsport as he kickstarts his Europe campaign at one of the world’s most famous racing circuits.
From Spielberg to Sonoma, Assen to Spa, and Watkins Glen to the Formula 1 paddock, New Zealand drivers and riders will once again be representing the silver fern across another action-packed weekend of international motorsport.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Liam Lawson | Formula 1
- Where? Red Bull Ring, Austria
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 11:30 PM
- Practice 2: Saturday 3:00 AM
- Practice 3: Saturday 10:30 PM
- Qualifying: Sunday 2:00 AM
- Race: Monday 1:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Liam Lawson heads to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring looking to continue his strong run of form after securing another points finish in Spain.
The Racing Bulls driver was classified eighth in Barcelona following a post-race penalty for Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, adding another four championship points to his tally despite a difficult race that included a slow pit stop and unfortunate Virtual Safety Car timing.
While Racing Bulls had hoped to challenge further up the order after showing promising pace throughout practice and qualifying, Lawson remained firmly in the midfield fight and capitalised on the late-race drama to secure another top-10 result.
The result also marked Racing Bulls’ second consecutive double points finish, highlighting the progress the team has made during the opening half of the season.
Attention now turns to the Red Bull Ring, one of Formula 1’s shortest and most demanding circuits. The Spielberg venue is renowned for producing close racing thanks to its combination of long straights, heavy braking zones and fast-flowing corners.
With points finishes becoming a regular feature of his 2026 campaign, Lawson will be aiming to maintain that consistency and continue Racing Bulls’ positive momentum as Formula 1 returns to action in Austria.
Louis Sharp | Formula 3
- Where? Red Bull Ring, Austria
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Friday 7:55 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 1:00 AM
- Sprint Race: Saturday 8:05 PM
- Race: Sunday 6:40 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Louis Sharp heads to Austria this weekend looking to build on the momentum of his first FIA Formula 3 Championship points finish of the season at Barcelona.
The PREMA Racing driver enjoyed a breakthrough Sprint Race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, charging from 17th on the grid to finish ninth and secure the first championship points of his 2026 Formula 3 campaign.
Sharp showed strong race pace throughout the weekend, making up five positions in the opening laps of the Sprint Race before continuing his progress through multiple Safety Car interruptions to claim a top-10 finish.
Sunday’s Feature Race proved more difficult, with the Kiwi dropping back in a congested midfield battle before eventually finishing 19th. Despite the result, the points scored on Saturday provided a welcome reward after a promising weekend overall.
Attention now turns to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg for Round 4 of the championship. The Austrian circuit is one of the shortest laps on the Formula 3 calendar and is renowned for producing close racing, slipstream battles and tight qualifying margins.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Sonoma Raceway, California
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 6:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 7:10 AM
- Race: Monday 7:30 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen will be looking to bounce back immediately this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Sonoma Raceway following a frustrating end to his race at the inaugural San Diego Street Circuit event.
The Kiwi appeared to have one of the fastest cars throughout the weekend, claiming pole position for the first-ever Cup Series race on the California street circuit and positioning himself as a genuine contender for victory.
After battling tyre wear issues in the opening stage, van Gisbergen’s strategy began to pay off as he worked his way back into the top five during Stage 2. However, his race came to an abrupt end when he was caught in a major multi-car accident shortly after a restart, leaving him with a disappointing DNF despite showing race-winning pace.
While San Diego represented a missed opportunity, the focus now shifts to Sonoma Raceway, a venue that has long suited van Gisbergen’s road-course expertise.
The Trackhouse Racing driver heads to Northern California as one of the favourites to claim victory, having consistently been among NASCAR’s strongest performers whenever the series turns right as well as left.
With a win likely securing a playoff berth and helping erase the frustration of San Diego, Sonoma presents an ideal opportunity for van Gisbergen to return to the front and strengthen his postseason hopes in Round 18 of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 11:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 6:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 10:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Cormac Buchanan heads to the TT Circuit Assen this weekend, determined to bounce back from a challenging Czech Grand Prix as the Moto3 World Championship continues with Round 10 of the season.
The Southland teenager endured a frustrating weekend at Brno, where qualifying difficulties left him facing an uphill battle before an early race incident forced him wide and dropped him away from the leading group. Despite the setback, Buchanan continued to push throughout the race and eventually crossed the line in 18th position.
While the result was not what he had hoped for, the Kiwi was encouraged by the lessons learned and the pace he showed after his team made improvements to the bike setup over the weekend.
Fortunately for Buchanan, there is little time to dwell on the disappointment, with the Moto3 paddock heading straight to the Netherlands for another race weekend.
The legendary TT Circuit Assen is one of motorcycle racing’s most iconic venues, known for its fast-flowing layout and close racing, making it another valuable opportunity for Buchanan to continue his development against some of the world’s best up-and-coming riders.
Callum Hedge | Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Where? Watkins Glen International, New York
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 1:00 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 5:00 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 12:30 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 7:00 AM
- Race 2: Sunday 1:05 AM
- How to Watch? Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channel
Callum Hedge returns to Porsche Carrera Cup North America action this weekend at Watkins Glen International, looking to build on the speed he displayed during a dramatic Round 3 at the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The Kiwi appeared to have secured his maiden Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory after surviving a chaotic, incident-filled race and crossing the finish line first for JDX Racing. However, a post-race penalty for causing a collision dropped Hedge down the order and denied him the breakthrough win.
Despite the disappointment, Miami showcased the pace Hedge has carried throughout the season. The New Zealander fought through multiple incidents, led the race, and also secured pole position for Race 2 before the second race of the weekend was cancelled due to weather and schedule changes.
The cancelled race left Hedge without the opportunity to immediately respond, making this weekend’s Round 4 at Watkins Glen an eagerly anticipated return to competition.
One of North America’s most iconic road courses, Watkins Glen presents a fresh opportunity for the JDX Racing driver to convert his speed into strong championship points as the season enters its second half.
Having shown race-winning form in Miami, Hedge will be aiming to put himself back in contention at the front of the field and continue his push towards the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America standings.
Earl Bamber, Hunter McElrea and Jaxon Evans | IMSA SportsCar Championship
- Where? Watkins Glen International, New York
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 3:25 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 2:05 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 7:40 AM
- Race: Monday 4:10 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA YouTube Channel
Earl Bamber heads to Watkins Glen International this weekend with momentum on his side after claiming a breakthrough IMSA SportsCar Championship victory in Detroit last month.
The Kiwi and Cadillac Whelen co-driver, Jack Aitken, delivered a flawless performance on the streets of Detroit, securing their second win of the 2026 season and providing a major boost in the GTP championship battle.
Now the IMSA paddock heads to one of its marquee endurance events, the Six Hours of the Glen, for Round 6 of the championship. The race also marks the return of the LMP2 and GTD classes, meaning Bamber will be joined by fellow New Zealanders Hunter McElrea and Jaxon Evans on the grid.
McElrea returns to action in the LMP2 category with United Autosports USA after enjoying a strong season in the highly competitive prototype class, while Evans resumes his GTD campaign with Inception Racing as he looks to challenge for class honours at one of North America’s most iconic circuits.
For Bamber, the focus will be on continuing the momentum generated in Detroit. The former Le Mans winner has consistently been among the frontrunners in the GTP class throughout the season and arrives at Watkins Glen as one of the leading contenders for overall victory.
With three Kiwi drivers spread across three different classes and valuable championship points on offer, Watkins Glen promises to be another important weekend for New Zealand’s sports car stars.
Madeline Stewart | Porsche Michelin Pilot Challenge
- Where? Watkins Glen International, New York
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 6:55 AM
- Practice 2: Saturday 1:15 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 9:10 AM
- Race: Sunday 5:05 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA YouTube Channel
Madeline Stewart returns to Michelin Pilot Challenge action this weekend at Watkins Glen International as the Kiwi continues her rookie season with Czabok-Simpson Motorsport.
The New Zealander has endured a challenging start to her first full campaign in the highly competitive GS class, facing the steep learning curve of adapting to one of North America’s toughest sports car racing categories.
Despite the challenges, Stewart has continued to gain valuable experience throughout the opening rounds of the season and will be aiming to take another step forward when the championship resumes for Round 5 at the iconic New York circuit.
With more experience now under her belt and another demanding challenge ahead, the Kiwi will be looking to make further gains as the Michelin Pilot Challenge season enters its second half.
Will Bamber | Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
- Where? Watkins Glen International, New York
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 2:00 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 5:55 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 2:30 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 8:00 AM
- Race 2: Sunday 9:15 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA YouTube Channel
Will Bamber heads to Watkins Glen International this weekend for Round 3 of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season after a rollercoaster weekend at Laguna Seca showcased both the speed and resilience of his new partnership with XONINE Racing.
Making his first appearance with the team following a switch from TR3 Racing, Bamber and co-driver Darius Trinka immediately impressed by qualifying on the front row for Race 1. The pair ran strongly near the front before a mechanical issue shortly after the driver change forced their retirement from a race that appeared destined for a podium finish.
The disappointment proved short-lived. Returning for Race 2, Trinka produced an impressive opening stint to charge through the field before handing the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 to Bamber in the lead. The Kiwi controlled the race from there, securing victory and delivering an immediate reward for the team’s efforts after the previous day’s frustrations.
The result marked Bamber’s third Pro class win from four races this season and his first victory with XONINE Racing, underscoring his ability to adapt quickly to a new team environment.
Arriving off the back of a victory and with strong pace demonstrated throughout the Laguna Seca weekend, the Kiwi will be aiming to keep that momentum rolling as the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season resumes.
Brendon Leitch | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe
- Where? Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Thursday 7:00 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 12:10 AM
- Qualifying: Friday 9:20 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 3:10 AM
- Race 2: Saturday 10:10 PM
- How to Watch? Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube Channel
Brendon Leitch returns to Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe action this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps as the Kiwi begins a selective 2026 campaign with Leipert Motorsport.
Leitch reunites with the German squad that helped him secure the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe title in 2023 and will contest Round 3 of the championship alongside American teammate Don Yount in the Pro-Am class.
The pairing already boasts a successful history together, having won the GT-X class at the Dubai 24 Hours in both 2025 and 2026, and will now look to translate that chemistry into success in one of Europe’s most competitive one-make championships.
Spa-Francorchamps marks Leitch’s first Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe appearance of the season and forms part of a programme focused on qualifying for and challenging for victory at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Finals later this year.
The New Zealander arrives with an impressive Super Trofeo pedigree, having previously won both the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe title and his class at the Lamborghini World Finals. His return to Leipert Motorsport and one of his favourite circuits makes him an immediate contender in the Pro-Am field.
With two races scheduled across the weekend as part of the prestigious CrowdStrike Spa 24 support programme, Leitch will be aiming to pick up where he left off and start his European campaign with a strong haul of trophies and championship points.
Header Image: IMSA
