Lindblad dominates at Hampton

Success during the opening rounds of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship have marked young British driver Arvid Lindblad as one to watch in 2025.

Building on top results – two third places and a first – at the Taupo opening round, Lindblad took a hard-fought win in the first race of round two at Hampton Downs.

He fended off challenges from Kiwi Zack Scoular and Supercars champion Will Brown, who remained too close for comfort for the leader throughout the 18-lap race.

“It wasn’t an easy race and it was quite long given how I felt in the car,” says Lindblad, confirming his second win in a row was far from straightforward.

“I knew it would be difficult from lap two or three and I wasn’t very happy, but I had to adapt and make the most of the car underneath me. I was struggling and it wasn’t easy in the car.”

Scoular and Brown raced throughout in full attack mode, staying within tenths of the leader and swapping lap records as they fought for an opportunity to attempt a pass. 

Lindblad was first overall at Taupo, winning the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy, before heading to Hampton Downs for the weekend of January 17-19.

A switch from Hankook to Pirelli tyres has slashed lap times this season, toppling lap records at both circuits. Lindblad reset the mark at Hampton Downs to 1:28.9, a full half-second faster.

Lindblad took pole for Sunday’s feature race at Hampton with Zack Scoular alongside him. Will Brown’s best effort secured him place six for the start. 

But before the main event, there was the part-reverse grid race two. Lindblad scythed through to finish third, Scoular and Brown well behind. Seb Manson took the win, which was his first of the series.

The feature race was all about Lindblad, who led from pole with Scoular the only driver able to challenge him. Will Brown languished in eighth place, chasing Michael Shin throughout the race.

Lindblad’s margin over Scoular at the finish was 2.8 seconds.