Brit guns for NZ title
Englishman Freddie Slater – this year’s Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) champion – has confirmed his entry for the 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy and will start as one of the favourites.
The 17-year-old, who hails from Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK, was 2020 world karting champion in direct drive. He won European titles in 2021 and 2023.
He was also the Ginetta Junior champion in his homeland in 2023 before progressing to junior single-seater formulae and finding immediate success. He won the Italian F4 title with Prema Racing in 2024 and in the same year the UAE F4 title with Mumbai Falcons.
Slater raced to eight victories in 2025 for Prema Racing on his way to the FRECA title and performed well in a part-time campaign in GB3 in the UK, again with Prema.
He is the first confirmed driver for multiple race and championship winners M2 Competition, and he’s looking forward to racing on new tracks in a different part of the world.
“Learning circuits will keep the season exciting,” says Slater. “The racing will be close with lots of good drivers competing. Hopefully we can put on a good show for the fans worldwide who will be following.
“I’m definitely going to use my time in New Zealand for experience and general development as a driver so I can be as prepared as possible for the F3 season I plan to do in 2026.”
The Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy is attracting interest from young drivers and senior teams looking to develop junior talent. For 2026 there are six teams competing in New Zealand and organisers are confident there will be a quality field for the four-round championship.
Slater’s campaign will end with the 70th NZGP. Along with the Macau GP, it one of only two events outside of F1 with official FIA governing-body grand prix recognition.
Fans will be able to follow the championship easily. Qualifying will be live streamed on Toyota Gazoo Racing’s YouTube channel. Races will also be on that channel and on SkySport domestically in New Zealand. Races will also be streamed live on the Motorsport.TV platform.
Oceania trophy dates
January 9-11 – Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park.
January 16-18 – Taupo International Motorsport Park.
January 23-25 – Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill.
January to February 1 – NZGP, Highlands International Motorsport Park.
