The first Formula 2026 has started. Former driver McLaren takes pole position and where is the WRC champion?

On Friday, January 9, 2026, qualifying for the first junior series of the season, Formula Regional Oceania, took place; Many promising drivers compete here, who are already attracting attention and have a good chance of entering Formula 1 in the future.

The scene takes place at the Motorsport Park Hampton Downs circuit in New Zealand.

Pole was won by driver Ugo Ugochukwu, who recently terminated his contract with McLaren and is preparing for his second season in Formula 3. The 18-year-old driver is known not only for his speed, but also for his unusual anthropometric data for motorsport – his height is 192 cm, according to the F3 website in 2025.

Louis Sharp, who is also preparing for F3, took the second place, while 2025 FRECA champion Fredie Sletter took the third place. In 2024, Italy dominated F4 and is currently preparing for its first season in F3.

Of particular interest was two-time WRC rally champion Kelle Rovanpär, who was trying her hand at the open wheel championship for the first time. He placed 16th among 19 competitors in his first official elimination.

The first race of the Formula Regional Oceania stage will start on January 10 at 00:55 Kiev time, and the second race will start at 04:10. Both races will be held over 18 laps.