Moonward is proud to announce a new technical partnership with multiple Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship–winning team, M2 Competition, ahead of the 2026 season of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT).

‍

Founded in New Zealand in 2017 and now headquartered in Brisbane, Moonward delivers high-quality software, app, and AI solutions across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This partnership marks a significant moment for Moonward as the company returns to its Kiwi origins through a sport that has played a meaningful part in its story.

‍

As part of the collaboration, Moonward will support M2 Competition’s pursuit of another championship title while jointly exploring how cutting-edge AI insights can help engineers and drivers make smarter, faster race-day decisions. The relationship brings together two performance-driven worlds—motorsport and technology—reflecting Moonward’s ongoing commitment to innovation, precision, and elite teamwork.

‍

“Partnering with M2 Competition allows us to bring Moonward’s innovation mindset trackside. By combining elite engineering with cutting-edge AI, we’re helping the team make smarter decisions in the moments that matter most,” says Moonward CEO, Andrew Owen.

‍

“We are excited to play a role in M2’s 2026 campaign and contribute our expertise to help the team defend its title on and off the track.”

‍

Returning to its New Zealand roots is especially significant for Moonward. The company built the official NZ Grand Prix App in 2017, making this partnership feel like a full-circle milestone.

‍

“It’s actually where it all started for us, it will be great to further invest in the sport and help the M2 team win.”

‍

M2 Competition Team Principal Mark Pilcher shares his enthusiasm for the partnership and the integration of bespoke Moonward AI tools into the team’s already world-class engineering program.

‍

‍

“Our engineering team is already vastly experienced, with our engineers and mechanics working in championships around the world such as F3, F2 and WEC. It is however harder to defend a championship than to win one,” says Pilcher.

‍

“The team at Moonward have been fantastic, building new AI tools for the team to extract and process information in more efficient and targeted ways.”

‍

“We look forward to seeing the Moonward branding on the cars and driver suits. With more driver announcements coming in due course, but make no mistake we are here to defend our long held title in what will be the most competitive season yet for CTFROT.”

‍

As one of the world’s premier junior single-seater championships, CTFROT has long been recognised as a proving ground for the next generation of racing talent. Its alumni include drivers who have progressed to Formula 1, IndyCar, WEC, and other elite global categories including names such as Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, Will Brown, Marcus Armstrong, Nick Cassidy, and Arvid Lindblad. The series attracts rising stars from around the world each summer, competing across New Zealand’s most iconic circuits.

‍

The 2026 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy season begins at Hampton Downs from January 8–11.

‍