Douglas shines in podium-packed USF Pro 2000 season

At just 20 years old, Christchurch’s Jacob Douglas has marked himself as one of New Zealand’s brightest young motorsport prospects, delivering a breakout campaign in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental.

Competing against one of the most competitive grids in the series’ 13-year history, the young Kiwi scored eight podium results, including a landmark victory at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on his way to a top-five finish in the 2025 championship standings.

“This season was huge for us,” he said. “The win at Indy was special, but the bigger picture is how consistent we became. We were mixing it at the front nearly every weekend, and to end up with eight podiums shows the progress we made.”

After returning to the series a year away, Douglas grew stronger as the season wore on. Six of his podiums came in the final nine races, a run that underlined his status as a title contender heading into 2026.

“We really came into our own in the second half,” he explained. “If we’d had a little more luck early on, we might have been fighting for the championship. But what this season has proven is that we’ve got the speed and the consistency to run at the very top.”

The highlight of the year came at Indianapolis, where he claimed his first USF Pro 2000 victory. He also took home the Best Move of the Season award at the end-of-year gala, recognised for a stunning sweep from fourth to first at Road America.

Long-time USF commentator Rob Howden said the New Zealander’s performances had turned heads across the paddock.

“We were very pleased to see Jacob return to the USF Pro Championships in 2025 after a year’s sabbatical, and I was not surprised in the least with his immediate pace as a former USF2000 race winner,” said Howden.

“Jacob made his presence known right out of the gate, finishing four of the first five races in the top five. His win at Indianapolis certainly lit the fuse, and his run of podiums and top fives during the second half of the season was phenomenal.

“I consider this year’s USF Pro 2000 grid to be the most competitive in the 13-year history of the program, which only adds integrity to Jacob’s overall performance.”

Douglas was also a key contributor to Pabst Racing’s Teams’ Championship victory, regularly banking top results that kept the Wisconsin-based outfit ahead in the standings.

Team owner Augie Pabst added, “Jacob had a fantastic season, running up front all year, grabbing a win at Indy, and always in the hunt.

“Unfortunately, a little bad luck kept him from a top-three spot in the championship.  I’m hopeful he can come back in 2026 to capitalise on all he learned in 2025.”

Now back in Christchurch for the New Zealand summer, the focus turns to preparing for a full title assault next year.

“We definitely have unfinished business,” Douglas said. “If we’re on the grid in 2026, there’s no doubt we’ll be fighting for the championship. The challenge is putting the budget together — and with the exchange rate the way it is, that’s tough.

Douglas is now seeking partners to join his 2026 title challenge campaign. Inquiries: jacob@jacobdouglas.co.nz

Jacob Douglas is a 20-year-old racecar driver from New Zealand. He is a multiple-time national champion in karting and was the 2023 USF YACademy Champion. He took 11 podiums, including seven wins, in USF 2000 machinery in the United States in 2023, before making two GB3 cameos in 2024.

He is a member of New Zealand’s prestigious Elite Motorsport Academy, winning the renowned Bruce McLaren and Ian Snellgrove trophies among the Class of 2024

In 2025, he returned to North America to complete his rookie season in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tires.