It’s been another exciting week for Kiwis in motorsport with drivers from our neck of the woods moving to head the points table in many top tier categories. From rally, to open wheelers and everything in between, our little nation continues to make its mark on the sport, something we couldn’t be more happy to see. ![](https://ik.imagekit.io/vyro/public/giltrap-articles/861ab98b422c04a0f5408031a2a0d6888e974b48ddd539ad8218b30936bb18a5.jpg)

Hayden Paddon – Rally Islas Canarias

Kiwi Rally ace, Hayden Paddon has taken the lead in the European Rally Championship after an outstanding drive to second in the all tarmac Rally Islas Canarias (Canary Islands). Finishing less than a minute behind French pairing of Yoann Bonato and co-driver Benjamin Boulloud over the three day, 13 stage event Paddon and co-driver John Kennard were delighted with their all-tarmac in the Hyundai i20 N Rally 2 car.

“To come away with second was more than we expected, and it couldn’t have gone much better,” Paddon said.

“If you’d said before the weekend that we’d come away with a podium finish, we’d have definitely taken that with both hands. It’s perfect for our championship and allowed us to build a small lead now which is a good way to start the season.”

Paddon now has 58 points to Bonato’s 47 points.

Paddon will need to shake off the jet lag before heading back home for the International Rally of Whangārei this weekend where he will be looking to repeat his previous winning form at the event against the likes of Ben Hunt and Shan van Gisbergen.

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Kiwi One-Two in Formula E-prix – Monaco

Kiwi Nick Cassidy led home countryman Mitch Evans in a closely fought Formula E battle on the streets of Monaco and has moved to the top of the Formula E leaderboard in the process.

Former multiple New Zealand Grand Prix, Formula 3, GT500 and Super Formula Champion, Cassidy drove a flawless race from ninth to first.

The 240km/h game of chess ebbed and flowed as leaders vied for control and to set the pace but Cassidy's decisive early-race moves yielded the ultimate result despite a valiant effort by Mitch Evans in the Jaguar TCS Racing entry.

Evans had himself clambered from sixth on the grid to second at the chequered flag and was within touching distance of the Envision right to that Safety Car three laps from the race finish. That New Zealand one-two made it four wins on the spin - a new Formula E record for a single nation.

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Marco Giltrap and Chris van der Drift – Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, Sepang

With wins in challenging wet and blistering hot conditions over the weekend, Marco Giltrap and Chris Van der Drift have locked in the round win for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia championship.

In very different race conditions day-to-day the Kiwi pairing battled monsoon rains and sweltering humidity to battle for a very well deserved win in Race 1 and second place in Race 2.

The drive of the weekend was arguably Van der Drift’s decisive performance in race 2. By the second turn, he was already up five positions and by turn four was mid field. The veteran racer and defending Super Trofeo champ showing his vast skillset amongst a mixed pack of pro and amateur drivers.

Giltrap also showed excellent race craft in extremely slick conditions on a track he hasn’t raced before. Race 1 was delayed by over an hour due to monsoon downpours that flooded the circuit, but the young Aucklander maintained track position and drove a clean race for the win.

The pairing are undoubtedly the ones to beat as the series heads next to The Bend circuit in Adelaide on 09 - 11 June. Marco Giltrap will have a very busy dance card this year as he also contests Australia’s Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Series.

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Brock Gilchrist takes Toyota 86 Championship

It was a gripping conclusion to the domestic Toyota 86 championship as Brock Gilchrist was spun at turn three and hit hard on the left hand side by William Exton in the first lap drama while sitting in third place.

A DNF would hand the title to his main rival Clay Osborne and there was audible relief in the Gilchrist camp when Brock selected a gear and got going again.

“When I took the hit I thought it was all over but it was still running, I grabbed a gear and got it out of the weeds and got it going again.” Said Gilchrist of the heart in the mouth moment.

“I was so stressed that entire race but I managed to keep my cool and make it to the end. Clay hasn’t let me rest once so big props to him, it’s been a great year and he’s been very fast.” Gilchrist said.

As part of the young driver’s prize he is extended a Supercar test opportunity with Red Bull Ampol Racing.

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Another F1 Race, another Aston/Alonso Podium

Yes, we know there’s other great teams and drivers in Formula One, but this season is truly one of redemption for both Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso. It was a joy to watch the oldest driver in the field over a driving lesson to many at the Miami Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso is clearly gelling with his Aston Martin and the car is once again allowing the double World Champion to showcase his impressive talent. That skillset was on show again with a P2 qualifying performance in Miami and he finished the weekend with four podiums from five races so far this year.

Those four podiums are more than he’s managed in his previous seven seasons of Formula 1 combined. We love to see it and hope he retains this pace all season.