2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship

All drivers competed with identical Tatuus FT-60 chassis cars powered by 2.0L turbocharged Toyota engines.{{Cite web |title=The Car |url=https://www.toyota.co.nz/toyota-racing/castrol-toyota-racing-series/about/the-car/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Toyota NZ |language=en-nz}} The series switched its tyre supplier from Hankook to Pirelli because of a fire at Hankook's factory in Daejeon that caused widespread supply issues.{{Cite web |title=Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Championship makes Pirelli switch |url=https://www.toyota.co.nz/toyota-racing/castrol-toyota-fr-oceania/news/2023/december/castrol-toyota-formula-regional-championship-makes-pirelli-switch/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Toyota NZ |language=en-nz}} The series supplied all cars with 100% fossil-free fuel, becoming the first Formula Regional championship to take this sustainability step.{{Cite web |title=NZ leads the way as Oceania series is first FIA Formula Regional championship to use fossil free fuel |url=https://www.toyota.co.nz/toyota-racing/castrol-toyota-fr-oceania/news/2023/december/nz-leads-the-way-as-oceania-series-is-first-fia-formula-regional-championship--to-use-sustainable-fuel/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Toyota NZ |language=en-nz}}

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Even before the 2023 season had begun, New Zealand's national motorsport governing body had already announced the 2024 calendar. The championship again consisted of five weekends. The round at Teretonga Park was dropped, instead the series returned to Euromarque Motorsport Park for the first time since 2018.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=2022-12-05 |title=W Series' Chloe Chambers to race in Toyota Racing Series |url=https://formulascout.com/w-series-chloe-chambers-to-race-in-toyota-racing-series/101610 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

The 68th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix was held as the final race of the season, at Highlands Motorsport Park.{{Cite web |title=Super Sprint NZ: 2024 Series Calendar Announced |url=https://www.oversteertv.co.nz/videos/eqo80r6k1vfvpkk1305cng4a6g0v6b |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Oversteer TV |language=en-US}}

The 2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship began at a wet Taupo with Giles's Christian Mansell taking pole position for the first race.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-19 |title=Christian Mansell takes pole for FRegional Oceania season opener |url=https://formulascout.com/christian-mansell-takes-pole-for-fregional-oceania-season-opener/115054 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} His advantage was short-lived, however, as M2's Roman Biliński grabbed the lead at the start. He continued to lead Mansell all 18 laps, throughout a safety car phase. His teammate Michael Shin completed the podium.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-20 |title=Bilinski wins first FRegional Oceania race of 2024 |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-wins-first-fregional-oceania-race-of-2024/115057 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Giles's Alex Crosbie headed the field for the reversed-grid second race. Two caution periods disrupted proceedings, allowing M2's Gerrard Xie to rise up to second and then grab the lead at the final restart to win. Crosbie dropped to third, behind Biliński.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-21 |title=Xie wins FRegional Oceania's safety car-filled reversed-grid race |url=https://formulascout.com/xie-wins-fregional-oceanias-safety-car-filled-reversed-grid-race/115113 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Mansell had qualified on pole position for the third race,{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-20 |title=Mansell takes a second FRegional Oceania pole at Taupo |url=https://formulascout.com/mansell-takes-a-second-fregional-oceania-pole-at-taupo/115106 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} but a penalty saw him start fifth. Nevertheless, he was back in second by the end of the first lap and took the lead on lap four. Biliński took second shortly after and began closing up on Mansell. The Pole took the lead on lap 19 and went on to take the win. Mansell and M2's Liam Sceats were on the podium and left Taupo equal on points, 25 behind Biliński.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-21 |title=Bilinski passes Mansell for lead-extending FRegional Oceania win |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-passes-mansell-for-lead-extending-fregional-oceania-win/115119 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

Biliński continued his form by taking pole position for the first race at Manfeild.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-26 |title=Bilinski takes pole for FRegional Oceania race one at Manfeild |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-takes-pole-for-fregional-oceania-race-one-at-manfeild/115248 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} He led Mansell throughout most of the first race, before the Australian dropped to tenth because of an electrical issue. This allowed Biliński to take a trouble-free win ahead of Lacorte and Sceats.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-27 |title=Lights-to-flag victory for Bilinski in FRegional Oceania's 300th race |url=https://formulascout.com/lights-to-flag-victory-for-bilinski-in-fregional-oceanias-300th-race/115255 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} The second race was held in wet conditions and saw Biliński forced to pit to repair his rain light, thereby removing him from contention. Xie spun from second place, while Mansell and his teammate Kaleb Ngatoa both got past Kiwi's polesitter Patrick Woods-Toth. The pair battled for the race lead with Mansell eventually coming out on top, while mtec's Tommy Smith completed the podium.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-28 |title=Mansell takes first FRegional Oceania victory in wet conditions |url=https://formulascout.com/mansell-takes-first-fregional-oceania-victory-in-wet-conditions/115285 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Another pole position for Biliński put him in prime position for race three.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-27 |title=Bilinski leads Mansell in FRegional Oceania Q2 at Manfeild |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-leads-mansell-in-fregional-oceania-q2-at-manfeild/115276 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Wet conditions first saw a red flag for a crash between Lacorte and Shin, before multiple drivers spun and race control elected to stop the race early. Biliński won ahead of Mansell and Sceats, now with a slightly reduced lead of 22 points ahead of newly crowned Tasman Cup winner Mansell.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-01-28 |title=Bilinski victorious at Manfeild in disrupted third FRegional Oceania race |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-victorious-at-manfeild-in-disrupted-third-fregional-oceania-race/115291 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

Round three at Hampton Downs began with Xie taking pole position and Biliński only managing 14th place.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-02 |title=Xie takes first FRegional Oceania pole, points leader Bilinski 14th on grid |url=https://formulascout.com/xie-takes-first-fregional-oceania-pole-points-leader-bilinski-14th-on-grid/115386 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} He turned his frustration into a momentous first race: in changing conditions, he climbed eight places on the first lap into sixth, forced his way past Xie and Sceats into third and set out after Ngatoa and mtec's Kaden Probst. The pair had started on wet tires, but the track was now dry enough that Biliński could easily take the lead and the win ahead of Sceats and Woods-Toth.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-03 |title=Bilinski storms from 14th to FRegional Oceania win in changing weather |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-storms-from-14th-to-fregional-oceania-win-in-changing-weather/115393 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Race two began with Lacorte overtaking Shin into turn one, with the Italian, then controlling the race out in front to win ahead of the Korean with Biliński in third.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-04 |title=Lacorte wins, Xie and Woods-Toth collide in FRegional Oceania race two |url=https://formulascout.com/lacorte-wins-xie-and-woods-toth-collide-in-fregional-oceania-race-two/115446 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Now the Pole had also regained his one-lap pace and took pole position for race three.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-03 |title=Bilinski denies Xie a second FRegional Oceania pole at Hampton Downs |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-denies-xie-a-second-fregional-oceania-pole-at-hampton-downs/115439 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Xie was to start alongside him, but a heavy crash in race two saw him withdraw. This allowed Ngatoa into second and he used that to overtake Biliński and leading him home. Shin came third, as Sceats overtook the absent Mansell for second in the standings, now 50 points behind Biliński.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-04 |title=Ngatoa holds off Bilinski for FRegional Oceania win |url=https://formulascout.com/ngatoa-holds-off-bilinski-for-fregional-oceania-win/115452 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

The series' return to Ruapuna saw Biliński claim another pole position ahead of Sceats.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-10 |title=Bilinski edges Sceats to FRegional Oceania pole at Ruapuna |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-edges-sceats-to-fregional-oceania-pole-at-ruapuna/115543 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} The first race opened with a lengthy stoppage after heavy contact between Probst and Kiwi's Titus Sherlock. Bilinsiki controlled the restart and resisted Sceats's pressure all race long. Behind them, mtec's returnee Jacob Abel held on to third in a three-car battle with Ngatoa and Giles's Alex Crosbie.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-10 |title=Bilinski brings home sixth FRegional Oceania win by holding off Sceats |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-brings-home-sixth-fregional-oceania-win-by-holding-off-sceats/115548 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Race two saw front-row starters Shin and Woods-Toth making slight contact side-by-side into turn one. This saw Woods-Toth drop to third behind Xie. Shin then pulled away to win, while Xie did all he could to keep Woods-Toth behind him.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-11 |title=Michael Shin dominates for first FRegional Oceania win |url=https://formulascout.com/michael-shin-dominates-for-first-fregional-oceania-win/115611 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Biliński was on pole position again for the third race, again heading Sceats,{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-10 |title=Bilinski adds to his FRegional Oceania pole tally at Ruapuna |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-adds-to-his-fregional-oceania-pole-tally-at-ruapuna/115605 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} but this time, the Kiwi got the better of the Pole into the first turn to take the lead. Again the leader had to resist pressure from behind, but like Biliński the day before, Sceats did not put a foot wrong to claim his maiden win. Still, Biliński had grown his lead to 56 points, with 90 still on offer heading into the final weekend.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-11 |title=Sceats claims maiden FRegional Ocania win in Lady Wigram Trophy race |url=https://formulascout.com/sceats-claims-maiden-fregional-ocania-win-in-lady-wigram-trophy-race/115617 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

Qualifying for the New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands began with a shock for Biliński as he crashed, putting him 13th on the grid for the Grand Prix, while Sceats took two pole positions.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-17 |title=Sceats on pole for New Zealand GP as Bilinski crashes out of qualifying |url=https://formulascout.com/sceats-on-pole-for-new-zealand-gp-as-bilinski-crashes-out-of-qualifying/115762 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} The first race saw a controlled lights-to-flag victory by Sceats to keep the championship alive going into the final day of the season. Biliński started fourth and got into second, but could not find a way past mtec's Callum Hedge.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-17 |title=Sceats stays in FRegional Oceania title fight with Highlands race one win |url=https://formulascout.com/sceats-stays-in-fregional-oceania-title-fight-with-highlands-race-one-win/115785 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} M2's Bryce Aron started the second race from pole position, while Biliński was in fifth. He needed to outscore Sceats to take the title, but did more than that, rising to second and briefly contending for victory before dropping back into third behind Woods-Toth. He thereby took the championship title, while Woods-Toth claimed the Rookie win.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-17 |title=Bilinski takes FRegional Oceania title as Aron wins Highlands race two |url=https://formulascout.com/bilinski-takes-fregional-oceania-title-as-aron-wins-highlands-race-two/115812 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} Sceats's only consolation for the loss of the championship title came in him winning the Grand Prix, resisting Hedge for 27 laps before claiming the victory, with Shin also on the podium. Biliński's season ended in a wild crash, going over the top of Aron's car in the final turn.{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=2024-02-18 |title=Liam Sceats wins the 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix |url=https://formulascout.com/liam-sceats-wins-the-2024-new-zealand-grand-prix/115828 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

Biliński came to New Zealand with a single Formula Regional podium in his previous career, but was a championship contender right off the bat. While most of his six wins came from front-row starts, a defining moment of his championship was his win from fourteenth on the grid at Hampton Downs. Biliński called his championship "massively" important for his career, calling himself "absolutely over the moon". Sceats was runner-up in a Formula Regional Championship for the second time in a year after his 2023 Formula Regional Japan campaign, but found comfort in winning the Grand Prix. After the race, his words to the media talking about his win were: "I’m speechless. I can’t even think right now. I can’t believe it." The championship's second year post-COVID saw it further reestablish itself as a competitive winter series, while also continuing to build upon its unique selling points with the addition of features like a fossil-free fuel.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=2024-02-19 |title=FRegional Oceania title "huge" for Bilinski, Sceats savours "very sweet" GP win |url=https://formulascout.com/fregional-oceania-title-huge-for-bilinski-sceats-savours-very-sweet-gp-win/115820 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

No points were awarded for pole position or fastest lap.

; Race (starting grid from qualifying)

; Reversed grid race

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Bold – Pole

Italics – Fastest Lap

† — Did not finish, but classified

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• {{Official website|https://www.toyota.co.nz/toyota-racing/castrol-toyota-fr-oceania/|Official website of Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship certified by FIA}}

{{Formula Regional}}

{{New Zealand Toyota Racing Series}}

Category:Toyota Racing Series

Formula Regional Oceania

Formula Regional Oceania

Formula Regional Oceania