HE’S not yet old enough to hold a driver licence in Australia, but Mornington Peninsula’s Mathew Basso is making waves on the international racing scene.
At just 15, he has claimed his first podium finish at the 2026 NAPA New Zealand Formula Ford Championship at Timaru International Raceway, finishing third, marking a major milestone and moving him up to sixth in the championship standings, just two rounds into his rookie car racing season.
The Timaru event, held from 31 January to 1 February as part of the iconic Thunder Down Under meeting hosted by the South Canterbury Car Club, featured 15 of New Zealand’s top young drivers and delivered some of the closest racing of the season. The round also counted toward the Yokohama South Island Formula Ford Championship.
After eight years karting in Australian, Basso only recently stepped into Formula Ford, a key development category for aspiring professional drivers.
Despite his limited experience in cars, he showed composure and pace throughout the weekend. After early race traffic slowed him, Basso fought back in each race, keeping close to the front-runners.
“Formula Ford racing is incredibly competitive, and the field is extremely close,” Basso said.
“To come away with my first podium in just my second round is a really encouraging result. Every session, I’m learning more about the car, the tracks, and the level of competition.”
Round two followed the opening round at Teretonga, meaning Basso spent two weeks in New Zealand preparing and racing. His performance drew media attention, including a live broadcast interview where he thanked his supporters and sponsors.
The championship is shown live on Sky TV in New Zealand, streamed globally via YouTube, and covered by Australian motorsport media, giving Basso valuable international exposure.
“I’m really grateful to Nigel and the entire Racing Project Team. The car has been fantastic, and the support around me has made the transition from karting much smoother,” he said, crediting his team for his fast adaptation.
Basso’s 2026 focus is on building consistency and experience, targeting regular top five finishes, further podiums, and ongoing skill development across New Zealand and Australia.
His campaign is backed by sponsors including Castrol, Ethika, UNIT, NGK Spark Plugs Australia, Morris Finance, and Woodleigh School.
The championship continues in New Zealand with round three at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on 14–15 March, followed by round four at Taupō Motorsport Park on 27–29 March.
“This is just the beginning,” Basso said.
“The goal is to keep learning, keep improving, and keep pushing forward every time we hit the track.”
First published in the Mornington News – 3 March 2026