F3 race winner eyeing successful NZ campaign to begin 2027

FIA F3 race winner Pedro Clerot is confirmed for the new-look 2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand, and will race for championship newcomers Rodin Motorsport.

The 2022 Brazilian F4 champion, Clerot raced throughout 2026 in FIA F3 with Rodin with his September feature race win at the new Madring in Spain the season highlight. Four additional podiums and numerous other top ten finishes saw him complete the season an impressive sixth overall.

His single seater experience also includes Formula Regional in 2024 and again in 2025, where two wins and six podiums were the backbone of a solid second season in the European FR Championship, giving him fourth overall in the points.

The 19-year-old – based in Cascais in Portugal - is focussed on fighting for the championship down under and setting his 2027 season – his second in FIA F3 with Rodin Motorsport - on a winning path.

“With the new car, the championship is going to be a very interesting challenge, and I’m really happy to continue my preparation for my second season with Rodin in FIA Formula 3. Obviously, we’ll be aiming to fight for the championship and looking to be at the front.

“The time in the car, the focus on mileage and a packed timetable of testing, practice, qualifying and racing will be really valuable for me in preparation for my F3 season. I’m very much looking forward to travelling to New Zealand and being part of the team in its first season in CTFROT.”

Rodin Motorsport’s Sporting Director, Benn Huntingford commented: "CTFROT has a long history of attracting some of the most promising young talent and with Rodin's roots in New Zealand, this programme is a natural fit for us. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

The 2027 edition of the Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Trophy will be the first with its exciting new car – the GRF 70 – and there has been unprecedented interest in the four-round series which concludes with the New Zealand Grand Prix – one of only two races outside of F1 recognised by the FIA as a Grand Prix.

The second – Macau – is also run for Formula Regional cars and this season the top driver and top Australasian in CTFROT will win seats in a works-supported GAZOO Racing entry at the 2027 event.

The Trophy once again runs as the headline act in NZ’s premier Repco NextGen NZ Motorsport Championship series and will begin over the weekend of January 8-10 at Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park then followed by back-to-back weekends at Taupo Motorsport Park, Teretonga Park and the NZ Grand Prix weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park.

The switch to the second generation FR car in NZ 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 on to FIA Formula 3 and beyond – while ensuring the cars and competition remain true to the principles of high-performance, driver-first motorsport.

2027 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy

Round 1 - 8-10 January - Allied Petroleum Hampton Downs International, Hampton Downs.

Round 2 - 15-17 January - Giltrap Group Taupo Historic GP, Taupo.

Round 3 - 22-24 January - Ascot Park Hotel Teretonga Park International, Invercargill

Round 4 - 9-31 January - NAPA New Zealand Grand Prix – Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell.