April 2, 2025 – Kiwi Motorsport kicked off the 2025 FR Americas and F4 U.S. Championship seasons in dominant fashion at NOLA Motorsports Park, showcasing their strength across both series. With multiple podium finishes and a sweep of the final FR Americas race on Sunday, the team made a statement as championship contenders early in the season.
Kiwi Motorsport wasted no time asserting their presence in FR Americas, locking out both the front and second rows in qualifying for the opening race. Nicolas Ambiado secured his first pole position, followed by Bruno Ribeiro in second, Nicolas Stati in third, and Jett Bowling in fourth. Teammates Nicole Havrda and Kevin Janzen aimed to climb up the order from their starting positions in 12th and 15th.
In Race 1, Ambiado claimed his first podium of the weekend with a second-place finish, while Bowling secured a solid top-ten result in sixth. Race 2 saw Ambiado return to the podium in second, joined by Ribeiro in third, who delivered a strong comeback performance. Ambiado had to come into the pits therefore taking the start from pitlane and with the bit between his teeth, drove past 16 cars to the second step of the podium. Stati also made strides, securing his first top-10 result of the weekend as Kiwi Motorsport drivers delivered.
The Kiwi Motorsport FR drivers saved their best for last, delivering a podium sweep in the final race. Ambiado took his first victory of the season, with Bowling following in second and Ribeiro completing the 1-2-3 finish in third. Stati also posted his best result of the weekend in sixth, capping off a stellar showing for the team. Nicole Havrda and Kevin Janzen had trying weekends but will look to rebound at the next event. Havrda’s best results came in Races 1 and 3 with P12 finishes while Janzen finished 13th in Race 3.
In the F4 U.S. Championship competition, Kiwi Motorsport continued to shine. Cooper Shipman set the tone with a second-place qualifying effort, while teammate Clemente Huerta slotted into the fifth position. The duo maintained their strong form in Race 1, with Shipman securing the second-step on the podium and Huerta improving to fourth, putting a pair of Kiwi Motorsport drivers inside the top five.
Race 2 saw a near repeat performance, as Shipman once again crossed the line in second, with Huerta fourth for the second consecutive race. The final race of the weekend saw Kiwi Motorsport add to their podium tally, with Shipman finishing second for the third consecutive race on the weekend and Huerta joining him on the podium with a third-place finish. Shipman also earned an Omologato Watch for his ‘Perfectly Timed Move of the Race.”
“The entire team delivered an incredible performance at NOLA,” explained Kiwi Motorsport team owner Teena Larsen. “From the front row lockout in FR Americas to the consistent podiums in both series, this weekend showed the depth of talent we have this season. I couldn’t be prouder of our drivers, engineers, and crew for their hard work and dedication. This is the kind of momentum we want to carry forward into the rest of the season.”
Garry Orton added, “A good way to start the season, but we want more. We will get back to the shop and back to work to make sure we are even better at the next one. There is no substitute for determination.”
As a partner in the Chip Ganassi Racing Driver Development, the Kiwi Motorsports program showed great pace. Designed to partner with drivers at an early age and assist their development process within the CGR ecosystem, Kiwi Motorsport is building young talent and the future of motorsport.
Kiwi Motorsport will look to build on their dominant opening round when they return to action at Road America from May 15-19.
For more information on Kiwi Motorsport, please contact Teena Larsen via email to kiwimotorsportnz@gmail.com.
- Kiwi Motorsport PR
