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TOYOTA RACING SERIES TO COUNT FOR FIA SUPER LICENSE POINTS

Toyota Racing Series drivers to earn FIA F1 Super License points - Photo: Supplied

By Bruce Williams

Toyota Racing Series drivers to earn FIA F1 Super License points - Photo: Supplied

Toyota Racing Series drivers to earn FIA F1 Super License points – Photo: Supplied

Following the opening Formula 1 round in Australia, it has been announced that New Zealand’s Castrol Toyota Racing Series will now be included in Formula One Super License points calculations.

The Federation Internationale Automobile (FIA) has given New Zealand’s premier motor racing series the recognition, by awarding the top five drivers overall in the championship points towards a Formula One Super License from next years series.

“It’s a boost for our series and will certainly make it more attractive for young international drivers to race TRS in New Zealand,” said Mark Whittaker, Toyota New Zealand’s Motorsport Manager.

“We have been lobbying for inclusion in the points system, The teams and drivers see the Toyota Racing Series as a step up from Formula 4 and about equal with Formula 3 and Formula Renault Euro Cup which many of them go onto from New Zealand.”

Even without the formal recognition, many local and international drivers who have competed in the Toyota Racing Series have gone onto Formula One.

The most notable being New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley who has just commenced his first full season at Toro Rosso after competing in the World Endurance Championship for Porsche.

Williams driver Lance Stroll was the 2015 Toyota Racing Series Champion, while 2016 champion, Lando Norris, has recently been signed as McLaren’s reserve driver.

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