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Kiwis take on the world as international motorsport kicks up a gear - Motorsport Preview

International motorsport season is well underway this weekend, with Kiwis driving in five different series across three countries.

The World Endurance Championship kicks off in the Middle East with the Qatar 1812km. Brendon Hartley returns to the #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing entry as the Japanese team looks to defend their Manufacturers Championship title, while Earl Bamber joins Hertz Team JOTA as they transition from Porsche to their first season running the Cadillac V-Series.R, a car which Bamber has plenty of experience in.

In the United States, St. Petersburg, Florida, once again hosts the opening round of the IndyCar season. This year marks Scott Dixon’s 25th season at the top level of American open-wheel racing, and the Kiwi will be aiming to make 2025 the year he claims his seventh title, tying AJ Foyt for the most IndyCar championships in history.

Indy NXT also gets underway in St. Petersburg as a support series to IndyCar, with Callum Hedge returning for his second season and 2024 New Zealand Grand Prix winner Liam Sceats making his series debut in what is currently a one-off appearance, with the 19-year-old hoping to secure funding for more outings.

"Last year, I qualified P3 and finished on the podium here on my U.S. debut. Looking to repeat that success! I am feeling optimistic and excited for the weekend ahead." said Sceats ahead of the weekend.

Meanwhile, in Texas, Shane van Gisbergen takes on the first NASCAR Cup road course event of the year at the Circuit of the Americas. This year’s race will be contested on a shortened layout of the circuit, designed to promote closer racing and a better spectacle for the fans in the stands.

"I like the track and I think it's pretty cool. The change they have done is really good, with the second extension or cut through. The one we did in Supercars would be terrible in these (Cup) cars, so they made a good call there." said van Gisbergen when asked about the track changes.

After Porsche Carrera Cup Australia opened its season last weekend in Sydney, this weekend sees the Asian and North American editions of the one-make series hold their official test weekends. Team Porsche New Zealand driver Brock Gilchrist will be contesting the Asian championship and recent Giltrap Group Motorsport recruit Ryan Yardley will be on track in the US.

Follow @giltrapgroupmotorsport for the latest updates across the weekend.