New Zealand Grand Prix

Last updated

Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Grand Prix
Highlands Motorsport Park (2024)
Highlands Motorsport Park (Full Course).png
Race information
Number of times held68
First held 1950
Most wins (drivers) Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss (3)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham (3)
Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Baird (3)
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ken Smith (3)
Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy (3)
Most wins (constructors) Flag of Italy.svg Tatuus (19)
Circuit length4.100 km (2.548 miles)
Race length114.8 km (71.3 miles)
Laps28
Last race (2025)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

The New Zealand Grand Prix, sometimes known as the New Zealand International Grand Prix, is an annual motor racing event held in New Zealand. First held in 1950, it is best known for hosting rounds of the Tasman Series in the 1960s and 1970s. It is currently run as the signature race of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.

Contents

It is one of only two current national Grand Prix events that are not part of the Formula One World Championship, the other being the Macau Grand Prix. [1]

History

The race was once an important race on the international calendar, most notably when it was a part of the Tasman Series. In this era, several contemporary Formula One drivers would compete in the race, often with great success. Six Formula One World Drivers' Champions have won the New Zealand Grand Prix, including three-time champions Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart. [2] In the years following the demise of the Tasman Series, Formula One drivers did not regularly compete in extra-curricular races, and as such the New Zealand Grand Prix lost many of its big-name entrants. It was run for smaller local or continental formulae in the 1990s and 2000s such as Formula Holden.

From 2006 to 2020, the race was run as part of the Toyota Racing Series, which has gained international prominence due to the championship being held over the Northern Hemisphere winter. This has resulted in many international drivers, particularly young developmental drivers, joining the championship in their traditional off-season, thus restoring a level of prestige to the event. [2] It is seen as a stepping stone to larger open-wheeler classes, such as Formula 3, and beyond, and drivers such as Daniil Kvyat, Alex Lynn, Lance Stroll and Lando Norris have competed in the race and then gone on to compete as race or test drivers in Formula One. [2] From 2023, it will be part of the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.

In its history, the race has been held in eight different locations across New Zealand. Pukekohe Park Raceway in Pukekohe has been the most common venue, with the race being held there 29 times. The Circuit Chris Amon, formerly Manfeild Autocourse, in Feilding hosted the event between 2008 and 2020. [3] Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, which had campaigned to host the event for several years, became the new host of the event in 2021. [4] [5] Due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 event was only contested by New Zealand drivers, with Supercars Championship regulars Shane van Gisbergen and Andre Heimgartner joining the field alongside past winners Greg Murphy and Ken Smith, who contested his 50th New Zealand Grand Prix. [6] Van Gisbergen won the event, despite starting from pitlane due to a pre-race issue. [7]

Winners

Hampton Downs, used in 2021 and 2023 Hampton Downs Motorsport Park (International Layout).png
Hampton Downs, used in 2021 and 2023
Teretonga Park, used in 2002-2007 Teretonga Circuit track map.svg
Teretonga Park, used in 2002–2007
Ruapuna Park, used in 1998-1999 Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park (Grand Prix Circuit).svg
Ruapuna Park, used in 1998–1999
Manfeild, used 1992-1995, 2008-2020 Manfeild Autocourse track map (New Zealand) clockwise short.svg
Manfeild, used 1992–1995, 2008–2020
Pukekohe Park (1990-2012), used in 1990-1991 and 2000 Pukekohe Park Raceway (1990).png
Pukekohe Park (1990–2012), used in 1990–1991 and 2000
Wigram Airfield Circuit, used in 1974 Wigram Airfield Circuit map.png
Wigram Airfield Circuit, used in 1974
Pukekohe Park (1967-1989), used 1967-1973, 1975-1989 Pukekohe Park Raceway (1967-1989).png
Pukekohe Park (1967–1989), used 1967–1973, 1975–1989
Pukekohe Park (1963-1966), used in 1963-1966 Pukekohe Park Raceway (1963-1966).png
Pukekohe Park (1963–1966), used in 1963–1966
Ardmore Circuit, used in 1954-1962 Ardmore Track Layout.png
Ardmore Circuit, used in 1954–1962
Ohakea, used in 1950 Ohakea Track Map (1950).png
Ohakea, used in 1950
YearWinnerCarClassCircuitReport
1950 Flag of New Zealand.svg John McMillan Jackson Special Ford Formula Libre Ohakea Circuit Report
1951

1953
Not held
1954 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stan Jones Maybach Special Formula Libre Ardmore Circuit Report
1955 Flag of Thailand.svg Prince B. Bira Maserati 250F Report
1956 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Maserati 250F Report
1957 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reg Parnell Ferrari 555/860 Report
1958 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Cooper T43 Climax Report
1959 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Cooper T45 Climax Report
1960 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Cooper T51 Climax Report
1961 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Cooper T53 Climax Report
1962 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Lotus 21 Climax Report
1963 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees Lola Mk4 Climax Pukekohe Park Raceway Report
1964 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce McLaren Cooper T70 Climax Tasman Series
(Tasman Formula)
Report
1965 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill Brabham BT11A Climax Report
1966 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill BRM P261 Report
1967 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackie Stewart BRM P261 Report
1968 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris Amon Ferrari 246T Ferrari V6 Report
1969 Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris Amon Ferrari 246T Ferrari V6 Report
1970 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Matich McLaren M10A Chevrolet Tasman Series
(Formula 5000)
Report
1971 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Niel Allen McLaren M10B Chevrolet Report
1972 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Frank Gardner Lola T300 Chevrolet Report
1973 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John McCormack Elfin MR5 Repco-Holden Report
1974 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John McCormack Elfin MR5 Repco-Holden Wigram Airfield Circuit Report
1975 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Warwick Brown Lola T332 Chevrolet Pukekohe Park Raceway Report
1976 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ken Smith Lola T332 Chevrolet Formula 5000 Report
1977 Flag of Finland.svg Keke Rosberg Chevron B34 Formula Pacific Report
1978 Flag of Finland.svg Keke Rosberg Chevron B34 Report
1979 Flag of Italy.svg Teo Fabi March 79B Report
1980 Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Millen Ralt RT1 Report
1981 Flag of New Zealand.svg David McMillan Ralt RT1 Report
1982 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Roberto Moreno Ralt RT4 Ford Report
1983 Flag of New Zealand.svg David Oxton Ralt RT4 Ford Formula Mondial Report
1984 Flag of the United States.svg Davy Jones Ralt RT4 Ford Formula Pacific Report
1985 Flag of the United States.svg Ross Cheever Ralt RT4 Ford Report
1986 Flag of the United States.svg Ross Cheever Ralt RT4 Ford Report
1987 Flag of the United States.svg Davy Jones Ralt RT4 Ford Report
1988 Flag of New Zealand.svg Paul Radisich Ralt RT4 Ford Report
1989 Flag of the United States.svg Dean Hall Swift Cosworth Report
1990 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ken Smith Swift Cosworth
1991 Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Baird Swift Toyota
1992 Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Baird Reynard 92H Formula Atlantic Manfeild Autocourse
1993 Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Baird Reynard 92H
1994 Flag of New Zealand.svg Greg Murphy Reynard 90D Holden Formula Brabham
1995 Flag of New Zealand.svg Brady Kennett Reynard 91D Holden
1996

1997
Not held
1998 Flag of New Zealand.svg Simon Wills Reynard 94D Holden Formula Holden Ruapuna Park Report
1999 Flag of New Zealand.svg Simon Wills Reynard 94D Holden Report
2000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andy Booth Reynard 94D Holden Pukekohe Park Raceway Report
2001Not held
2002 Flag of New Zealand.svg Fabian Coulthard Van Diemen Stealth RF94 Ford Formula Ford Teretonga Park Report
2003 Flag of New Zealand.svg Jonny Reid Van Diemen Stealth RF94 Ford Report
2004 Flag of New Zealand.svg Ken Smith Van Diemen Stealth Evo2 Ford Report
2005 Flag of New Zealand.svg Simon Gamble Spectrum 010 Ford Report
2006 Flag of Bahrain.svg Hamad Al Fardan Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Toyota Racing Series Report
2007 Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Gaunt Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2008 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andy Knight Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Manfeild Autocourse
(Circuit Chris Amon) 1
Report
2009 Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Gaunt Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2010 Flag of New Zealand.svg Earl Bamber Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2011 Flag of New Zealand.svg Mitch Evans Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2012 Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2013 Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2014 Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy Tatuus FT-40 Toyota Report
2015 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Lance Stroll Tatuus FT-50 Toyota Report
2016 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lando Norris Tatuus FT-50 Toyota Report
2017 Flag of India.svg Jehan Daruvala Tatuus FT-50 Toyota Report
2018 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Richard Verschoor Tatuus FT-50 Toyota Report
2019 Flag of New Zealand.svg Liam Lawson Tatuus FT-50 Toyota Report
2020 Flag of Brazil.svg Igor Fraga Tatuus F.3 T-318 "FT-60" Toyota Report
2021 Flag of New Zealand.svg Shane van Gisbergen Tatuus F.3 T-318 "FT-60" Toyota Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Report
2022 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 border restrictions [8]
2023 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Laurens van Hoepen Tatuus F.3 T-318 "FT-60" Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Report
2024 Flag of New Zealand.svg Liam Sceats Tatuus F.3 T-318 "FT-60" Toyota Highlands Motorsport Park Report
2025 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Will Brown Tatuus F.3 T-318 "FT-60" Toyota Report
Notes

Multiple winners

By driver

WinsDriverYears
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham 1958, 1960, 1961
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss 1956, 1959, 1962
Flag of New Zealand.svg Craig Baird 1991, 1992, 1993
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ken Smith 1976, 1990, 2004
Flag of New Zealand.svg Nick Cassidy 2012, 2013, 2014
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill 1965, 1966
Flag of New Zealand.svg Chris Amon 1968, 1969
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John McCormack 1973, 1974
Flag of Finland.svg Keke Rosberg 1977, 1978
Flag of the United States.svg Ross Cheever 1985, 1986
Flag of the United States.svg Davy Jones 1984, 1987
Flag of New Zealand.svg Simon Wills 1998, 1999
Flag of New Zealand.svg Daniel Gaunt 2007, 2009

By constructor

WinsConstructor
19 Flag of Italy.svg Tatuus
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ralt
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reynard
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola
3 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari
Flag of the United States.svg Swift
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Van Diemen
2 Flag of Italy.svg Maserati
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg BRM
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg McLaren
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Elfin
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chevron

By country

WinsCountryYears
32 Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 1950, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2024
11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 1954, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 2025
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 1956, 1957, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 2016
5 Flag of the United States.svg United States 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989
2 Flag of Finland.svg Finland 1977, 1978
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil 1982, 2020
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 2018, 2023

References

  1. Grand Prix a brand http://www.motorsport.org.nz/Race/news/news1Aug07NZGP.pdf Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 3 Thompson, Eric (13 February 2016). "Timing and prestige distinguish NZGP". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  3. "High-speed space for sale at Manfeild". MotorSport NZ. MotorSport New Zealand. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. Kilmister, Sam (3 February 2017). "Manfeild: Attend the New Zealand Grand Prix or risk losing it". Stuff.co.nz . Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  5. O'Brien, Connor (20 January 2021). "Quinn devastated to miss NZGP". Speedcafe. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. "Unique New Zealand Grand Prix Set To Make History This Weekend | Scoop News". Scoop . 21 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. Chapman, Simon (24 January 2021). "Last to first: Van Gisbergen wins extraordinary NZGP". Speedcafe. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  8. Herrero, Daniel (11 January 2022). "2022 NZGP Cancelled". Speedcafe.com.
  9. Kilmister, Sam (25 November 2016). "Manfeild track renamed after New Zealand motor racing great Chris Amon video". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 February 2017.