Begg set for incredible opportunity with Europe test
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Winton racing driver Jacob Begg is set to become one of the youngest New Zealanders to test-drive a GT car in Europe.
The 18-year-old has been offered a test and evaluation programme in Europe in a Lamborghini Super Trofeo Evo 2 with Leipert Motorsport, one of Europe's top GT teams in sprint and endurance racing.
It is an opportunity that came about after the team saw his talent during the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and, specifically, his effort here in Invercargill back in January.
The 2025 to 2026 season was tough, but one that Begg feels will make him a more determined and resilient competitor moving forward.
“I managed a podium here in that race at Teretonga and then later that night I received an email from the team expressing interest in a phone call. The following day we had it, and then this has all just developed from there.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down or say no to. I have always wanted to be a professional racing driver and wasn’t sure what the next step was for me in New Zealand, so I jumped at this opportunity.”
He would be based in Germany for about 10 weeks, where he would travel to all the GT and Super Trofeo rounds with the team, visiting Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.
“It’s an incredible opportunity, and one I am super grateful for. If it all goes well, it could be a breakthrough moment in my career. It’s a pretty rare opportunity for someone from Southland to get, as they could have offered it to any driver in the world. It’s pretty cool just to think I was on their radar and they know who I am.”
The team had good Kiwi connections and really wanted to carry that on, so Begg was given the nod.
It also brought a sense of familiarity to Southland, as it was the motorsport team Invercargill’s Brendon Leitch started out with in Europe.
“It pretty much involves doing test days, simulator work, as well as going to all the rounds with them as a type of reserve driver, so I get to look at all the onboards, all the data, and that side of it, and see how everything works.”
His testing would take place at Monza, a track well known in the world of Formula 1 and global motorsport.
“Growing up, it has always been a dream to drive somewhere like that, so it’ll be pretty surreal doing testing there. I grew up watching F1 racing around all the European tracks. It’s going to be pretty cool.
“It’s the fastest track in the world, so driving a 620-horsepower Lamborghini around it will be a thrill, and something I’m really excited to do.”
The car he would be driving was the second-generation version of the one he tested in Taupō last month, and it was safe to say it would be a fair bit quicker than what he competed in during the Formula Ford season.
Begg said he wanted to make the most of the opportunity and do everything he could to put his best foot forward.
“I am not going over there to replicate anyone. I am going over to be Jacob Begg and the best version of myself. I am still very raw and only early on in my career. I want to learn, soak up all I can, and hopefully improve. All going well, it might lead to a role within the team maybe next year or the year after.”
He was definitely nervous, he said.
“It’s going to be a big learning curve, as everything is so different, but I just want to make sure I drive it well over there.”
Begg, who would leave in August, was incredibly thankful to all of his sponsors, old and new, who had come back on board to support him this year in this next step in his career.