Charlie Wurtz became the champion of Formula Regional Oceania

Charlie Wurz won the title in New Zealand’s winter series, this year’s Formula Regional Oceania, and did so confidently by taking victory in the final race of the season after starting from pole.

Before the final round of the series, which took place at the Taupo circuit, the son of former Austrian Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz was leading the individual standings, but by the final race his lead over Callum Hedge had been reduced to just three points. The New Zealand driver won the first race of the weekend but finished sixth in the second, while Wurz took the podium.

In the decisive race, Charlie was able to get a good start, fend off rivals’ attacks in the early laps and keep the lead. To win the championship, Hedge had to be ahead of Wurz on the track, and he, starting at the end of the top five, gradually worked his way up front. At the same time, the fast Dutchman Laurens van Hoopen put Charlie very actively under pressure, and he didn’t have an easy time in the first half of the distance.

However, Van Hoopen’s car already lost its front tires and, moreover, a light drizzle began, which, of course, complicated the task of all participants in the race.

On the tenth lap, Wurz was able to build up the lead, but Hedge was already closing in on the top three, but was still more than five seconds behind the leader. Callum seemed to be lucky when the safety car came out on track after a crash involving two other racers and the brakes were evened out.

However, Hedge was unable to take advantage of this situation, as he let one of the opponents go ahead on the restart. Although he later regained his position, it was already too late. In addition, the rain increased and Wurz not only continued to lead, but increased the lead, showing that he could fly in such conditions. As a result, he crossed the finish line first and won both the race and the title.

Of course, Alex Wurz is happy for his son, which he immediately announced on social networks: “On the decisive day of the championship, he started from pole, led the race, drove well in the rain, although he was on slicks, and after the restart he brought the race to victory. That’s it, now Charlie Wurtz is the champion! Well done, son!”