GRF-70’s wraps come off
The next-generation Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy car – the GRF-70 – has been officially unveiled at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.
The vehicle is based on the FIA Formula Regional Gen 2 T 326 Tatuus chassis, as used in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship, and will be powered by an evolution of the two litre turbocharged 8AR FTS engine used in the New Zealand series since 2020.
All previous generations of the Toyota-powered single-seaters since 2005 have been provided by Lainate, Italy-based manufacturer Tatuus and this continues with the GRF-70.
“Following our close collaboration with FIA – being an official FIA Formula Regional Championship since 2023 – it was natural for us to follow the introduction of the Formula Regional Gen2 cars which happened in 2026 globally,” explains Nicolas Caillol, Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ’s motorsport manager.
“The choice of the Tatuus chassis was obvious, continuing our relationship of more than 20 years. We believe this is the longest relationship Tatuus has had with any championship. We started with the FT-40, then the FT-50 and most recently the FT-60. All were high level, high performance and safe. That will continue with the GRF-70.
“And for those interested, the change of prefix for the next generation of car from FT to GRF reflects the embedding of the single-seater programme into Gazoo Racing DNA. In other words, we move from Formula Toyota (FT) to GR Formula (GRF).”
Initial testing of the vehicle – in the hands of former NZ Grand Prix winner Liam Sceats – has already begun and a batch of 22 units will be built in time for the next Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy, which starts in January.
As with all previous seasons of the New Zealand-based series, the cars will be released to teams on the Monday before the first race weekend to ensure a level playing field. Six teams will begin the next generation of the championship. They are M2 Competition, Mtec Motorsport, Kiwi Motorsport, Hitech GP, TJ Speed Motorsport and new entrant Rodin Motorsport.
The GRF-70 package is aligned with the FIA’s Gen 2 targets for performance, efficiency and sustainability, reflecting Gazoo Racing’s commitment to pushing technical limits while remaining relevant to real-world vehicle development. It will produce approximately 280hp. Pirelli, the nominated tyre supplier for all Formula Regional Championship and Trophy series, will continue to supply the Kiwi cars.
Caillol says the new car will be a significant step forward in several areas from previous global junior formulae designs. “A lot of work has been done by FIA and Tatuus into the Formula Regional Gen2 car. That has involved a focus on improvement at every level.
“Work has been done by the FIA with support of engineers from F1 to design a car to allow the drivers to drive closer to each other and offer better opportunities for passing. That has meant a lot of work has been done on aerodynamic side.
“The previous generation was criticised for driver comfort and this is another area where Gen 2 machinery has made a step forward. The design has a better seating position and an ability to accommodate a wider range of heights. A redesign of the front suspension means less effort is required on the steering wheel.
“We have a successful powerplant in the 8AR-FTS engine, which we’ve been using since 2020 in the FT-60. But as with everything, we have focussed on continuous improvement. David Gouk, our engine developer and builder, has worked on enhancing the package by redesigning some components to produce a lighter version of the engine we used in the FT-60.”
“Power will be in line with regulations from the FIA and will stay similar to what we had in the past. We also carry over the push-to-pass system. This was introduced last year and instantly improved the racing.”
The switch to the Gen 2 car underlines Toyota and Gazoo Racing’s long-standing commitment to the FIA’s single-seater pyramid as a logical progression for drivers from FIA-certified Formula 4, through FIA Formula Regional and onto FIA Formula 3.
“It also shows our own commitment to finding New Zealand’s next world champion,” says Caillol. “There is a lot of work to do between now and the 2027 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy, but we will be ready with a field of up to 22 cars. Today the motorsport world gets their first glimpse of what’s to come.”
