Red Bull’s Rivera brings Mexican flare to talent filled NZ grid
Mexican Ernesto Rivera adds more Latin American racing flare to a star-studded cast competing in this year’s championship.
He will race in New Zealand as part of the multi-championship winning M2 Competition team and is another bringing a successful track record in junior formula to his first campaign of 2026.
Three wins in Eurocup 3 saw him finish fourth in the championship and he is another in this year’s CTFROT field who is using the four round championship to limber up for a season in FIA F3. He has also won in Formula 4 in Spain.
“I started a bit late in motorsport really, with my first kart race was in 2021,” he explained.
“Everything has happened very quickly and I’ve been learning very fast. I have done less than three years of karting and two years in formula cars.”
Despite that limited mileage, he showed his talent and raw speed convincingly during three dominant seasons in karting. He won in USPKS, SKUSA and the Supernationals at Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023.
He is highly regarded for a strong worth ethic, learning cars and circuits quickly, and that was recognised when he was selected as a Red Bull Junior in 2024. He is the latest in a long line of juniors from the F1 team to undertake the championship as a prelude to a European season, which for Ernesto will be with Campos Racing in F3.
“It’s fair to say I do believe hard work beats talent and hope to show that I have both when I race in New Zealand for the first time,” he added.
Interest in the championship has increased massively since it strategically reduced its season from five to four rounds to avoid clashes with northern hemisphere testing. A high quality field is guaranteed with drivers who have competed and won in a variety of championships including Formula Ford, Formula 4, Formula Regional and Formula 3.
Fans will be able to follow the championship easily. Qualifying will be livestreamed on TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand’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.
2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
Rd1 9-11 January - Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park
Rd2 16-18 January - Taupo International Motorsport Park
Rd3 23-25 January - Teretonga Raceway, Invercargill
Rd4 30 Jan -1st Feb - 70th New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands International Motorsport Park
