TJ Speed seat for F4 race winner in New Zealand
FIA Formula 4 race winner Ricardo Baptista – or Cadi as he is known in the motorsport world – is the latest confirmation for what is set to be a thrilling 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
Brazilian Baptista, 18, will join TJ Speed with HMD Motorsport for the four-round championship, which begins in just under three weeks at Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park in New Zealand’s North Island.
He joins a stellar cast which includes race and championship winning drivers from F2, F3, F4 and Formula Regional as well as two-time world rally champion Kalle Rovanperä.
Baptista, from Sao Paolo, is a former Brazilian karting champion even though he was a late starter to karting at 15 years old, inspired by watching his father’s race GT.
In 2025, he enjoyed a promising season in Brazilian Formula 4 with one win and numerous placings that gave him 11th overall. He also made one-off appearances in Spanish F4 and the country’s Formula Winter Series – also F4 - earlier this year.
The popular NZ championship – which has been a stepping stone on the career paths of F1 world champion Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto and Lance Stroll – will be a fresh challenge for Cadi, but one he is relishing.
“I am really looking forward to driving in New Zealand and to experience racing outside of Brazil and Europe for the first time,” he said.
“I want to score points in the races and learn as much as I can, it’s going to be a great experience and hopefully will set me up for a strong 2026 season in the northern hemisphere.”
TJ Speed with HMD Motorsports is one of two new teams to have joined the New Zealand championship since it strategically reduced its season from five to four rounds to avoid clashes with northern hemisphere testing. A high quality field is promised.
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
