Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

While it’s a slightly quieter weekend compared with the last, the action is still full throttle. This weekend 10 Kiwi drivers are representing New Zealand across six different categories around the globe!

Kiwi star Liam Lawson returns to action for Round 7 of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. At Imola he takes the wheel for Racing Bulls for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

He’s joined by fellow New Zealander and rising talent Louis Sharp who continues his 2025 FIA Formula 3 campaign with Round 3 of the season. F3 runs as a support category alongside Formula 1 at Imola.

Formula E is back in action this weekend with a high-stakes double-header at the 2025 Tokyo E-Prix. Competing in Rounds 8 and 9 of the championship are Kiwi duo Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans. They are gearing up for a crucial weekend as they tackle the demanding 18-turn, 2.5km street circuit in the heart of Tokyo.

IndyCar is in full swing as the series builds toward its crown jewel, the legendary Indianapolis 500. Practice sessions started yesterday and continue over the next few days, setting the stage for a pivotal Qualifying weekend. Kiwi contenders Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon, and Marcus Armstrong are all chasing glory at the world’s biggest motorsport event.

The NASCAR Cup Series returns this weekend with the fan-favourite All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina. Shane van Gisbergen currently sits inside the Top 5 of the fan vote. He has a strong shot at securing a spot in the prestigious 250-lap, million-dollar showdown. If he doesn’t make the cut, he will race in the All-Star Open race.

Kiwi rally aces Zeal Jones and Bayden Thomson are back in action this weekend in Japan for Round 3 of the Morizo Challenge Cup — Rally Asuka. After securing back-to-back podiums in the opening two rounds, the duo will be hungry for victory as they chase a potential three-peat on the demanding Japanese stages.

Zack Scoular is also making his Eurocup-3 debut at the Red Bull Ring in Austria this weekend. Scoular joined Palou Motorsport for the 2025. This is a relatively new team founded and owned by three-time IndyCar Champion Alex Palou. Scoular feels he is already integrating well with the team. Having already participated in the final two rounds of the Winter Series, Scoular has gained valuable experience in the Eurocup-3 car leading up to this weekend. It is a new chapter for the young Kiwi.

Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where.

Liam Lawson: Formula 1 World Championship

• Where? Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Friday 11:30 PM
  • Practice 2: Saturday 3:00 AM
  • Practice 3: Saturday 11:30 PM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 2:00 AM
  • Grand Prix: Monday 1:00AM
• How to Watch? Sky Sports / F1 TV

After a short break, Liam Lawson returns to Formula 1 action this weekend at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, continuing his 2025 campaign with Racing Bulls.

This weekend marks Lawson’s fifth start with Racing Bulls since rejoining the team at Round 3 in Japan. That followed a driver swap with Yuki Tsunoda, abruptly ending his brief stint alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

Since returning, Lawson has endured a tough start to his full-time Formula 1 campaign. He appeared to have scored points in the Miami Sprint Race, only to have them stripped after a post-race penalty deemed him responsible for a collision with Fernando Alonso.

Miami Sprint Race Recap HERE

His misfortune continued in Sunday’s Grand Prix, where a Turn 1 incident on the opening lap left his car with significant side pod and structural damage. Despite pushing on for as long as he could, Lawson was eventually forced to retire with 19 laps to go. Now, he heads to Imola determined to turn things around and prove his place on the grid with a strong, points-scoring performance.

Miami Grand Prix Recap HERE

Louis Sharp: Formula 3 World Championship

• Where? Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice: Friday 7:55 PM
  • Qualifying: Saturday 1:05 AM
  • Sprint Race: Saturday 8:05PM
  • Feature Race: Sunday 6:30 PM
• How to Watch? Sky Sports / F1 TV

After a five-week break between rounds, Louis Sharp arrives in Imola for Round 3 of the FIA Formula 3 World Championship. The Kiwi young gun will be looking to bounce back after a challenging start to his rookie season. That included a tough debut in Melbourne and a difficult weekend in Bahrain. There he finished 14th in the Sprint Race and 24th in the Feature after stalling on the grid.

Sprint Race Recap HERE

“Bahrain threw a few challenges our way. We were on the back foot from the start and couldn’t unlock the pace we know is there. Not the result we came for, but plenty to learn from, eyes forward,” said Sharp.

All eyes are on the young Kiwi and former GB3 Champion, who will be more determined than ever to showcase his talent. He must prove what he’s truly capable of behind the wheel.

Feature Race Recap HERE

Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans: Formula E World Championship

• Where? Tokyo Street Circuit, Japan
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
  • Practice 2: Saturday 11:00 AM
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 1.20 PM
  • Race 1: Saturday 6:05PM
  • Practice 3: Sunday 11:00 AM
  • Qualifying 2: Sunday 1:20 PM
  • Race 2: Sunday 6.05 PM
• How to Watch? Sky Sports

Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans showed glimpses of strong pace for Jaguar TCS Racing in the opening race of the Monaco E-Prix double-header. However, the Kiwi duo were left frustrated after a dramatic and ultimately disappointing Round 6 of the FIA Formula E World Championship.

The following day for Round 7, the tables turned and Cassidy scored his first podium of the season. He nabbed third place and secured his third podium in a row at the Monaco E-Prix.

Round 6 Recap HERE

Starting 17th on the grid, Mitch Evans made an impressive early charge, gaining four positions and retaining both Attack Modes when the Safety Car was deployed. Jaguar TCS Racing opted for a bold strategy, bringing him in under yellow for a tyre pressure adjustment to suit the improving track conditions. Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off, and Evans slipped down the order, ultimately finishing outside the points.

In the inaugural 2024 Tokyo E-Prix, Nick Cassidy delivered an impressive performance by climbing from 19th on the grid to finish eighth. He secured valuable points for Jaguar TCS Racing. Meanwhile, teammate Mitch Evans crossed the line in 15th. Both Kiwis will be eager to improve their results in this year’s double-header in Tokyo

Round 7 Recap HERE

Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon, Marcus Armstrong: IndyCar Series

• Where? Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 4: Friday 4:00 AM
  • Practice 5: Saturday 4:00 AM
  • Qualification Draw: Saturday 10:15 AM
  • Practice 6: Sunday 12:30 AM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 3:00 AM
  • Top 12 Practice: Monday 5:00 AM
  • Practice Last Chance Qualifiers: Monday 6:00 AM
  • Top 12 Qualifying: Monday 8:05 AM
  • Last Chance Qualifying: Monday 9:15 AM
  • Fast Six: Monday 10:25 AM
  • Practice 7: Tuesday 5:00 AM
• How to Watch? Sky Sports + Delayed Highlights on NTT Indycar Series Youtube

The countdown to the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is officially on—and if the first practice session is anything to go by, we’re in for an electrifying edition of the world’s biggest motorsport event.

Kiwi IndyCar trio—Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin, and Marcus Armstrong stormed into the top 10 during a fiercely competitive session at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dixon finished P4, McLaughlin P5 and Armstrong P8.

Indy 500 Practice 1 Recap HERE

Just five-tenths of a second separated the top 10, with less than nine-tenths covering the top 20. The margins? Razor-thin. The tension? Already sky high. Leading the timesheets were Will Power, Josef Newgarden, and Alex Palou, with a mere one-tenth of a second between them—an early sign that this year’s fight for pole and race-day glory could come down to the smallest of details.

McLaughlin, Dixon, and Armstrong are also coming off strong performances, each finishing inside the top 10 at last weekend’s Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Road Course.

Sonsio Grand Prix Recap HERE

With talent and determination on their side, all eyes will be on the Kiwis progress through the month of May.

Shane Van Gisbergen: NASCAR Cup Series

• Where? North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Carolina
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Saturday 9.00 AM
  • Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (Open): Saturday 10:00 AM
  • Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (All-Star): Saturday 11:00 AM
  • All-Star Race Heat 1: Sunday 9:10 AM
  • All-Star Race Heat 2: Sunday 10:15 AM
  • All-Star Open Race: Monday 9:00 AM
  • All-Star Race: Monday 12:00 PM
• How to Watch: Three Now (Race only)

The NASCAR Cup Series returns this weekend with the fan-favourite All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina. Shane van Gisbergen currently sits inside the Top 5 of the fan vote, giving him a strong shot at securing a spot in the prestigious 250-lap, million-dollar showdown. If he doesn’t make the cut, he will race in the All-Star Open race.

Van Gisbergen secured another Top 20 finish last weekend at Kansas Speedway, it was his 14th start in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Championship. The opening laps were difficult for Van Gisbergen, who qualified to start 34th on the grid after a flat tyre cut his practice short and left his team scrambling to make setup changes for both qualifying and the race.

Van Gisbergen showed flashes of racecraft and determination but continues to battle the steep learning curve of the Cup Series.

You have until 3:59 PM Sunday NZT to vote for Van Gisbergen in the All-Star Fan Vote. You can cast your vote HERE and vote up to five times a day!

Kansas Speedway Recap HERE

Zeal Jones and Bayden Thomson: Morizo Challenge Cup

• Where? Rally Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan
• NZ Times:
  • SS1: Saturday 10:43 AM
  • SS2: Saturday 11:36 AM
  • SS3: Saturday 12:19PM
  • SS4: Saturday 3:52 PM
  • SS5: Saturday 4:45 PM
  • SS6: Saturday 5.28 PM
  • SS7: Sunday 12:36 PM
  • SS8: Sunday 1:14 PM
  • SS9: Sunday 3:32 PM
  • SS10: Sunday 4:10 PM
• How to Watch: Toyota Gazoo Racing Official Youtube
• Live Timing, Live Tracking and Stage Maps: CLICK HERE

Zeal Jones and co-driver Bayden Thomson have touched down in Japan for Round 3 of the 2025 Morizo Challenge Cup, Rally Asuka, taking place from May 16–18 in Nara Prefecture. The rally features a total of 10 special stages across two days—six on the opening day and four on the final day—covering 72.40 km of competitive distance and 360km of touring. With 54.50km driven on the first day, a strong start will be crucial for teams aiming for top results.

Jones and Thomson have shown impressive form in their debut season, securing third place at the Mikawawan Rally and following it up with a second-place finish at the Tour de Kyushu in Karatsu. These back-to-back podiums position them as strong contenders for another top finish this weekend.

“It’s a start from zero for everyone. I think it will be a difficult but important race. We will look back on the second race in Karatsu and compare it with the first race in Mikawa Bay to find areas that need improvement and improve the machine. I think it’s important to adjust and combine the small details correctly. When fighting for the top spot, a few tenths of a second can be the deciding factor.” said Jones

Zach Scoular: Eurocup-3

• Where? Red Bull Ring, Austria
  • NZ Times:
  • Practice: Saturday 6:40 PM
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 9:00 PM
  • Race 1: Sunday 2:00AM
  • Qualifying 2: Sunday 7:45 PM
  • Race 2: Sunday 11:45 PM
• How to Watch? Youtube (Races only)

Fresh off an impressive runner-up finish in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (CTFROC), Tony Quinn Foundation Ambassador Zack Scoular is eagerly anticipating his debut in the Eurocup-3 series this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

The young Kiwi driver made an immediate impression in CTFROC over the summer, securing pole position and a win in his first race, on his way to finishing second in the standings. Now, he’s taking his talents to Europe, ready to tackle the challenges of Eurocup-3.

The announcement of Scoular joining Palou Motorsport for the 2025 Eurocup-3 season came shortly after the CTFROC season finale at Highlands Motorsport Park in early February. This move marks a significant step for the young Kiwi, who has primarily raced in New Zealand throughout his junior career.

“We decided on Eurocup-3 because it is where I will be able to learn the most. The grid is the strongest in Europe outside of FIA Formula 3, so it is definitely a place where I can grow and develop as a driver.” said Scoular

Palou Motorsport, which Scoular is joining for the 2025 season, is a relatively new team founded and owned by three-time IndyCar Champion Alex Palou. Scoular feels he is already integrating well with the team.

“The Eurocup-3 car has definitely taken a lot of adjusting to after coming out of CTFROC. This has included learning how to use ‘push to pass’, adjusting to more downforce, racing on Grade 1 Formula 1 tracks, and driving on a different tire.

I am really enjoying the characteristics of the Eurocup-3 car and the championship. The tracks are awesome.”