Kiwi drivers make their mark on the international circuits – Motorsport Recap
Dixon Opens Season with a Second
A last-minute move on the final lap by Scott Dixon #9, saw him claim second place on the streets of St Petersburg at the opening round of IndyCar season. Dixon placed on the podium despite radio issues causing him not to have any communications with his team for the final 90 laps of the 100-lap race.
“We were just kind of flying blind out there,” Dixon said of his radio problems.
“Ultimately, I think they were trying to call me in because on that last lap we had before we pitted, there was just so much traffic, and we lost two or three seconds. That’s where the 10 car [Palou] got us.”
Fellow kiwi Scott McLaughin was the early front runner after claiming pole, but faded to 4th after being caught behind incident traffic.
Rookie Liam Sceats joined Callum Hedge in the earlier Indy NXT race, with a quick qualifying run Sceats had landed the P5 starting position. Unfortunately due to early race drama he fell back to finish in P18, but was a very promising first outing in IndyNXT for the young Kiwi. Callum Hedge climbed up to finish in P8 from a P12 starting grid position.
IndyCar is back racing on track in Thermal, California on 21-23 March.
NASCAR
After a tough start the NASCAR Cup season on ovals, Shane van Gisbergen was expected to show is best form so far on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
A solid sixth fastest in qualifying saw the kiwi spend time in the lead, netting third place in the opening stage. He stayed clear of a run of late race wrecks to finish a credible 6th.
Next weekend sees SVG back on the ovals, at Phoenix Raceway.
FIA World Endurance Championship
The season opener for the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar saw Kiwi’s Brendon Hartley in the #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing entry and Earl Bamber in #38 Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac.
Hartley alongside Buemi and Hirakawa in the #8 Toyota, showcased their resilience, overcoming a less-than-ideal qualifying performance, starting down in 17th, to secure a commendable fifth-place finish. Their consistent pace and strategic decisions underscored Toyota Gazoo Racing’s enduring competitiveness.
Unfortunately for Earl Bamber after a strong start to the race after qualifying P5, there was a collision between the #38 and #12 Cadillacs on Lap 74 significantly altered the race's outcome. Jenson Button in the #38 braked heavily into Turn 15, leading to Alex Lynn in the #12 rear-ending him. Both cars sustained major damage, necessitating extensive repairs. The #38 team, including Bamber, Button and Bourdais faced additional throttle issues, resulting in a disappointing 16th place finish.
The Series now has a seven week break before returning for Round 2, the 6 Hours of Imola over April 18-20.
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
Porsche Carrera Cup Asia completes successful Official Test Days ahead of 2025 campaign. Brock Gilchrist - Team Porsche New Zealand x Earl Bamber Motorsport scholarship driver had a successful taste of the 2025 season, finishing in a close second during the test sessions. Gilchrist can take the learnings from the weekend to the first round of Carrera Cup Asia when they return to Shanghai on 21-23 March as the supporting category for the Chinese Grand Prix.
