KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 17-20 OCTOBER WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From the wide-open banking of Talladega to the technical twists of Texas and the rugged rally roads of Sardinia, Kiwi drivers and riders are set for another massive weekend across world motorsport.
In the United States, Liam Lawson lines up for Racing Bulls at the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas — the 19th round of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Also at Circuit of the Americas, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season concludes as a support category to Formula 1. Kiwi duo Ryan Yardley (Topp Racing) and Madeline Stewart (JDX Racing) return to action for the eighth and final round of the season, each looking to close out their 2025 campaigns on a high at one of North America’s premier circuits.
Over on the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway, Shane van Gisbergen returns to action for another crack at a Top 10 finish after being caught up in a late race wreck last weekend that took him out of the Top 5. The Kiwi will tackle one of the sport’s most unpredictable venues — where drafting, timing, and luck often decide it all in the final laps.
In Europe, Hayden Paddon and co-driver Jared Hudson are back in action at Rally Terra Sarda in Italy. The Sardinian gravel provides a true test of precision and endurance as the pair continue their international rally campaign.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Read takes on his final WRC and JWRC round of 2025, co-driving alongside South African driver Max Smart at the Central European Rally. Based in Passau, Germany, the mixed-surface event will see Read wrap up a strong season on the global stage.
Down under, Cormac Buchanan gears up for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in Moto3. The Southlander will represent BOE Motorsport/Denssi Racing at one of the world’s most picturesque and fast-flowing circuits, as the MotoGP paddock arrives for Round 19 of the championship.
And in Spain, Avalon Lewis competes in the final round of the World Women’s Circuit Racing (WCR) championship at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, bringing her debut international campaign to a close at the iconic Andalusian venue.
From Texas and Talladega to Sardinia, Germany, and Phillip Island, it’s another globe-spanning weekend of racing for Kiwi competitors — each flying the New Zealand flag proudly on motorsport’s biggest stages.
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? Circuit of Americas, Texas, U.S.
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 6:30 AM
- Sprint Qualifying: Saturday 10:30 AM
- Sprint Race: Sunday 6:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 10:00 AM
- Grand Prix: Monday 8:00 AM
- How to Watch? F1TV or Sky Sports
Liam Lawson battled through a difficult Singapore Grand Prix, finishing 15th after a strategy misfire left the Kiwi out of contention for points under the lights of Marina Bay.
George Russell claimed a commanding win for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, while McLaren sealed back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
After a disrupted buildup that included overnight repairs from a practice crash, Lawson lined up 12th following the disqualification of both Williams cars in qualifying. He made a clean start and stayed clear of early chaos but lost ground as Racing Bulls left him out long on worn tyres before pitting late in the hope of a safety car.
Despite that, the Kiwi showed strong pace in the closing laps, overtaking several cars to recover to 15th at the flag.
Lawson and Racing Bulls will look to bounce back at the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on October 17–20.
Ryan Yardley & Madeline Stewart | Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Where? Circuit of Americas, Texas, U.S.
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Saturday 8:35 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 3:45 AM
- Race 1: Sunday 8:40 AM
- Race 2: Monday 5:00 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA TV, IMSA YouTube or Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube
Kiwi duo Ryan Yardley and Madeline Stewart endured a dramatic weekend at Road Atlanta in Round 7 of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, with Yardley’s title fight tightening and Stewart delivering another consistent showing in the Pro field.
Qualifying saw both drivers inside the top 15. Yardley was quick from the outset, setting the fourth-fastest time in both sessions, while Stewart impressed with a 1:21.966 to start 13th and 15th for the two races.
Race 1 brought mixed fortunes. Yardley initially climbed to second and challenged for the lead before contact with Riley Dickinson earned him a 10-second penalty, dropping him from a podium finish to sixth. Stewart kept her cool through the chaos to finish 13th after a steady, mistake-free drive.
In Race 2, Yardley fought hard in the front pack, holding off intense pressure from Zachary Vanier before capitalising late to reclaim third and secure a valuable podium. Stewart once again displayed strong defensive racecraft, climbing to 13th after a close battle with Sabre Cook.
The results leave Yardley locked in a championship duel with Dickinson heading into this weekend’s season finale at Circuit of the Americas in Texas, while Stewart continues to impress in her rookie Pro campaign.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Talladega Superspeedway, Alabama, U.S.
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Sunday 6:30 AM
- Race: Monday 7:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Kiwi NASCAR Cup Series driver Shane van Gisbergen showed top-10 pace and racecraft at Las Vegas Motor Speedway before a late-race crash ended what was shaping up to be one of his strongest oval performances yet.
Starting 13th, the best of the Trackhouse Racing entries — Van Gisbergen steadily worked his way forward, running inside the top ten through much of the second stage. Smart pit work and consistent long-run pace had the No. 88 Chevrolet climbing as high as fifth in the final segment after a bold two-tyre call under caution.
However, on the restart with 23 laps remaining, contact from Ty Gibbs sent the Kiwi spinning into the wall, ending his day in heartbreak. Despite the disappointment, Van Gisbergen again proved his growing confidence and competitiveness on ovals, mixing it with NASCAR’s elite before the incident.
“It’s gutting — we were right there at the end and the car was really good. The guys gave me a great car; we just didn’t get the finish we deserved” Van Gisbergen said post-race.
The New Zealander now turns his attention to Talladega Superspeedway, one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable races, where he’ll look to convert his recent speed into a strong result this weekend.
Hayden Paddon & Jared Hudson | Rally Terra Sarda
- Where? Sardinia, Italy
- NZ Times:
- Shakedown: Saturday 7:00 PM
- SS1: Sunday 1:39 AM
- SS2: Sunday 2:35 AM
- SS3: Sunday 4:37 AM
- SS4: Sunday 8:58 PM
- SS5: Sunday 9:42 PM
- SS6: Sunday 11:53 PM
- SS7: Monday 12:37 AM
- How to Watch? Rally.TV
Fresh off their triumph at the Rally Bay of Plenty, Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon and co-driver Jared Hudson are set to take on Rally Terra Sarda this weekend, kicking off the next phase of their 2025 TER – Tour European Rally campaign.
Paddon, who claimed the TER title in 2022 and followed it up with the TER World Series crown in 2023, will debut a Hyundai i20N Rally2 alongside Hudson. Their arrival adds Kiwi firepower to an already competitive field, with nine-time World Champion Sébastien Loeb currently leading the championship standings.
The New Zealand duo will aim to build on their recent success on home soil, bringing their speed, experience, and composure to the challenging Sardinian stages. Paddon’s ongoing role as an ambassador for the TER has helped expand the series globally, including the Otago Rally in New Zealand, which has become a key round of the championship.
With Rally Terra Sarda promising fast, technical gravel and a competitive entry list, Paddon and Hudson will be eager to continue their winning momentum and challenge for top honours in Europe.
Malcolm Read | WRC Central European Rally
- Where? Passau, Germany
- NZ Times:
- SS1: Friday 1:30 AM
- SS2: Friday 5:05 AM
- SS3: Friday 7:30 PM
- SS4: Friday 8:20 PM
- SS5: Friday 10:25 PM
- SS6: Saturday 1:45 AM
- SS7: Saturday 4:20 AM
- SS8: Saturday 5:15 AM
- SS9: Saturday 7:15 PM
- SS10: Saturday 9:35 PM
- SS11: Saturday 10:35 PM
- SS12: Sunday 1:05 AM
- SS13: Sunday 2:05 AM
- SS14: Sunday 5:25 AM
- SS15: Sunday 7:25 PM
- SS16: Sunday 9:05 PM
- SS17: Sunday 10:10 PM
- SS18: Monday 12:15 AM
- How to Watch? Rally.TV
- Live Timing: Click Here
Kiwi rally co-driver Malcolm Read is gearing up for another major international outing, joining South African driver Max Smart for the 2025 Central European Rally — a key round of both the WRC3 and Junior WRC Championships.
The pair will take on the fast and technical asphalt stages that span Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, marking another step in Smart’s developing WRC career and a return to the world stage for Read, one of New Zealand’s most experienced co-drivers.
After a season of steady progress, the Smart–Read pairing will aim to deliver a clean, competitive performance in the ultra-tight WRC3 and JWRC fields, where consistency and teamwork often make the difference.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Phillip Island, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice: Friday 11:00 AM
- Practice: Friday 3:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 10:40 AM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 2:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 3:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 1:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
After surviving a chaotic Indonesian Grand Prix that saw multiple frontrunner crashes and a red-flag finish, Kiwi Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan is now turning his focus to Round 19 of the season — the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
Buchanan delivered a combative ride in Indonesia, fighting his way up the order and ultimately finishing 16th after a fierce midfield battle. It capped off a challenging weekend that began with a frustrating qualifying session, leaving the New Zealander determined to bounce back stronger on home soil.
The Invercargill native now heads to the fast and flowing Phillip Island Circuit — a track known for its unpredictable weather, close pack racing, and sweeping high-speed corners that reward precision and confidence.
Racing in front of a passionate Australasian crowd, Buchanan will be aiming to convert his recent pace and resilience into a strong result as he continues to establish himself in the fiercely competitive Moto3 field.
Avalon Lewis | World Women’s Circuit Racing (WCR)
- Where? Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice: Friday 8:15 PM
- Superpole: Saturday 12:30 AM
- Warm Up 1: Saturday 8:45 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 10:50 PM
- Warm Up 2: Sunday 8:35 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 10:50 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
After a confidence-boosting weekend at Magny-Cours, where she climbed a combined 11 places across two hard-fought races, Kiwi WorldWCR rider Avalon Lewis is ready to take on the final round of the 2025 season at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in Spain.
The New Zealander impressed in France, finishing 11th and seventh across the two races — her strongest weekend of the campaign — showcasing both speed and racecraft as she battled consistently inside the top ten.
Now sitting eighth in the overall championship standings, Lewis will be aiming to close out her debut WorldWCR season with another standout performance. The fast, technical Jerez circuit promises an exciting finale, with plenty of opportunities for close racing and late-season drama.
The WorldWCR season finale takes place this weekend, October 17–19, as Lewis looks to finish her maiden international campaign on a high note.
Full Weekend Schedule:
| Date/Time | Category | Event |
| Friday 1:30 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS1 |
| Friday 5:05 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS2 |
| Friday 11:00 AM | Moto3 | Free Practice |
| Friday 3:15 PM | Moto3 | Practice |
| Friday 7:30 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS3 |
| Friday 8:15 PM | World WCR | Free Practice |
| Friday 8:20 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS4 |
| Friday 10:25 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS5 |
| Saturday 12:30 AM | World WCR | Superpole |
| Saturday 1:45 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS6 |
| Saturday 4:20 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS7 |
| Saturday 5:15 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS8 |
| Saturday 6:30 AM | Formula 1 | Practice |
| Saturday 8:35 AM | Porsche Carrera Cup North America | Practice |
| Saturday 10:30 AM | Formula 1 | Sprint Qualifying |
| Saturday 10:40 AM | Moto3 | Free Practice 2 |
| Saturday 2:45 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 3:10 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 2 |
| Saturday 7:00 PM | Rally Terra Sarda | Shakedown |
| Saturday 7:15 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS9 |
| Saturday 8:45 PM | World WCR | Warm Up 1 |
| Saturday 9:35 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS10 |
| Saturday 10:35 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS11 |
| Saturday 10:50 PM | World WCR | Race 1 |
| Sunday 1:05 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS12 |
| Sunday 1:39 AM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS1 |
| Sunday 2:05 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS13 |
| Sunday 2:35 AM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS2 |
| Sunday 3:45 AM | Porsche Carrera Cup North America | Qualifying |
| Sunday 4:37 AM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS3 |
| Sunday 5:25 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS14 |
| Sunday 6:00 AM | Formula 1 | Sprint Race |
| Sunday 6:30 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| Sunday 8:40 AM | Porsche Carrera Cup North America | Race 1 |
| Sunday 10:00 AM | Formula 1 | Qualifying |
| Sunday 1:00 PM | Moto3 | Race |
| Sunday 7:25 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS15 |
| Sunday 8:35 PM | World WCR | Warm Up 2 |
| Sunday 8:58 PM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS4 |
| Sunday 9:05 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS16 |
| Sunday 9:42 PM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS5 |
| Sunday 10:10 PM | WRC Central European Rally | SS17 |
| Sunday 10:50 PM | World WCR | Race 2 |
| Sunday 11:53 PM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS6 |
| Monday 12:15 AM | WRC Central European Rally | SS18 |
| Monday 12:37 AM | Rally Terra Sarda | SS7 |
| Monday 5:00 AM | Porsche Carrera Cup North America | Race 2 |
| Monday 7:00 AM | Formula 1 | Grand Prix |
| Monday 8:00 AM | Formula 1 | Grand Prix |
Header Image: Simon Galloway/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool
