The weekend on the challenging Highlands circuit immediately began positively in free practice, where Wharton demonstrated speed and confidence by placing himself in P2, P10 and P2 respectively across the three sessions.
In qualifying, James progressed through Q1 and finished Q2 in 11th, securing his grid position for Race 1. Agonisingly, he missed out on a place in Q3 by just one hundredth of a second, underlining how close the field was at the front.
Photo Credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zeland
Race 1 saw Wharton line up from P8, making a solid start and quickly engaging in a battle with Liam Sceats, which he resolved with a clean overtake. He then gained another position following an off-track excursion for Zack Scoular. The race was neutralised by a Safety Car on lap 18, which stayed out until the chequered flag, with James classified P6.
In Race 2, Wharton started from P3 and delivered an excellent launch off the line to gain second place by Turn 1. Maintaining strong pace throughout the race, he capitalised on his start and consistency to bring the car home in an impressive P2.
Race 3 began from P9, with James immediately gaining a position in the opening laps. A Safety Car on lap 11, caused by the retirement of Jack Taylor, was followed by a red flag to allow for the safe recovery of the car. After the restart, Wharton was involved in an intense and entertaining battle with Liam Sceats. The race ultimately finished under Safety Car conditions following another incident, with James crossing the line in P8.
Photo Credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zeland
“The New Zealand campaign ahead of 2026 proved to be a very productive couple of weeks. Despite not contesting the full championship, we still secured a top-10 finish in the overall standings, which is a positive takeaway. In addition, we achieved two strong podium results and, most importantly, gained valuable experience throughout the programme. I’m now highly motivated heading into Formula 3 testing and looking forward to getting back in the car in Barcelona, where I’ll be working closely with Prema to ensure we start the season in the best possible way in Melbourne. I’d like to thank TJ Speed and HMD for the opportunity, and my sponsor Hejaz. I’m excited for what the rest of the year has in store”.
With the New Zealand chapter now complete, James Wharton turns his focus back to Europe, where preparations begin for the 2026 Formula 3 season, starting with pre-season testing in Barcelona from 10–12 February.