Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Van Amersfoort Racing

  • Ushijima to drive for VAR, F3

    Van Amersfoort Racing has announced their first driver for Formula 3 and that being Reece Ushijima!

    Ushijima will be stepping up from the GB3 Championship after a title-challenging season with HiTech Grand Prix, he finished fourth overall with three poles, two wins and seven podiums.

    Not only did he compete in GB3, he also competed in the 2021 Asian Formula 3 Championship where he ended the year as the second highest-rookie in 11th place!

    The 19 year old, enjoyed a successful post-season F3 test with the team on Days 1 & 2 before he went to Campos Racing for the third day and he managed to finish 2nd overall in the afternoon session.

    Ushijima first started his karting career at 13 years old, he initially started in Japan but then moved to Europe. After four years of karting, he went on to the BRSSC Formula Ford Winter series to make his single-seater debut where he qualified on pole and finished third and second in the races.

    “To be racing with such an experienced and successful team as Van Amersfoort Racing is a great privilege,” said Ushijima. “Seeing how motivated and hardworking they were during post-season testing at Valencia has made me really excited to what we can achieve this year. It may be an uphill battle, as it is both the team’s and my first year competing in the FIA F3, but I believe we can achieve something special with our combined determination. I cannot wait to get the season started!”

    Van Amersfoort CEO Rob Niessink added: “We first worked with Reece during post-season testing at Valencia last year and he impressed us. It will be both his and our first season in this car, so for sure there is lots to be learned, but Reece’s determination excites us. His interaction with the team was impressive and he showed to be a quick learner. The level of progress he booked during the two days he tested with us is a clear indicator of his potential. We have been preparing our entry into this category to the finest detail and are absolutely thrilled to get going early next month!”

    My Opinion–

    This is a good move, definitely got the talent to be in F3 so it’ll be interesting to see how he does for the full season.

  • Cordeel steps up to F2

    Cordeel steps up to F2

    Van Amersfoort Racing have now confirmed their line-up for the up-coming season with Amaury Cordeel taking the second seat beside British driver Jake Hughes.

    2022 will be Cordeel’s first season in F2 as he makes the step up from Formula 3, he tested with the team at post-season testing where he finished sixth in the afternoon session of day 3.

    Last year was the Belgian’s first year in Formula 3 where his best finish was 11th. He competed in three different series in 2020 where he had spells in Formula Renault Eurocup, the Castrol Toyota Racing Series and F3 Asia.

    The 19 year old never karted professionally and made his move into single seaters with only testing experience at 14 years old. He debuted in 2017 at the French Formula 4 series where he placed 16th, he then switched to Spanish F4 the following season in which he won the title with 12 podiums including four wins and four pole positions.

    “I am extremely excited to make this step up to F2,” said Cordeel. “I got to know the car during the post-season test at Abu Dhabi and it is an impressive drive. The power increase in comparison to F3 is obviously very noticeable, but I felt comfortable behind the wheel. I am very well aware that the season ahead will be a challenging one and I will face a steep learning curve. However, having Van Amersfoort Racing as my team to rely on gives me great confidence. I am thankful for the trust they’ve put in me and I look very much forward to being part of their FIA F2 debut. The level of dedication and professionalism shown during the test at Yas Marina was impressive, the least said. I will put my learnings from F3 to best use and together with the support of VAR, will build up from there onwards. I have been using the off-season to get in optimum shape, both physically and mentally, not to mention the endless hours I’ve spent in the simulator. I feel ready!”

    VAR’s CEO Rob Niessink added: “After the test at Abu Dhabi, we knew we wanted Amaury in the car. He is very committed to performing and forms a good match with the team. He proofed to be an intelligent driver and learns quickly, something we highly value in a driver. Our crew is excited and set up to support him in every way possible, assisting him to reach his full potential. As this is both his and our first time in the FIA F2 championship, we know it won’t be a walk in the park, but as a team, we are extremely dedicated to performing and leaving a mark starting with the very first outing at Bahrain and onwards!”

    My Opinion-

    Not going to lie, I am a bit mixed feelings on this… I feel like he should of stayed in Formula 3 to see if he can rack up some point finishes instead of moving to F2 without grabbing any points. But considering he tested with the team at the post season test, they clearly trust him. I think Cordeel will have a lot of eyes on him come March to see how he performs.

  • Hughes to race in F2

    Hughes to race in F2

    It has been confirmed that Jake Hughes, will race in Formula Two for a full season with Van Amerfoort Racing.

    The Dutch team are new for 2022, Hughes took part in post-season testing with the team, where he ran 2 out of three days and finished three out of four sessions in the top 10.

    The Brit, is no stranger to Formula 2. He first made his debut in 2020 where he raced with HWA Racelab at Sochi where he finished 12th. Hughes then returned for a second outing with the team at Monza 2021 where he equaled his result.

    Jake remained with the team at the following round Sochi where he scored their best finish F2 finish, taking fourth in the opening sprint race. Logan Sargeant then took his place at the penultimate round at Jeddah but Hughes returned for the season finale.

    During his appearances for HWA, the 27 year old spent his time between roles, reserve driver for ROKiT Venturi Racing in Formula E and as a simulator driver for Mercedes’ Formula 1 and FE outfits.

    “I’m overly excited to be racing with VAR in 2022,” said Hughes. “During the post-season test at Abu-Dhabi it became clear to me that VAR takes this new challenge extremely serious. We are very much on the same level when it comes to vision and drive for success, making it a very pleasant environment to work in. I’m just very thankful to the team for putting their trust in me and providing the opportunity to work together. The F2 car is incredible to drive, and I look very much forward to compete in it for the full season. It will be a long and tough stretch, but I am eager to kick off the season soon in Bahrain!”

    “It is exciting to be able to make this first FIA F2 driver announcement!” said VAR CEO Rob Niessink. “We are extremely happy with Jake joining us for the FIA F2 Championship. We are standing on the brink of a great adventure for which we very much welcome the experience and maturity that Jake brings along. During the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Jake showed to be a highly motivated and professional team player. Jake’s accurate input and feedback already made an impact during testing, which helped the team to progress already in a very short time. His drive and dedication match ours, giving us great confidence for the season ahead!”

    My Opinion-

    Ah now Jake is the one person I wanted to get a seat this year! It didn’t matter what series but I personally thought he deserved a seat in a racing series. I think he has a lot of potential and its good to see that Van Amerfoort Racing see’s this too.

  • Van Amersfoort Racing joins F2

    The Formula 2 Championship promoters have confirmed that Van Amersfoort Racing will replace HWA Racelab entry and assets for the 2022 Formula 2 season. The Dutch team will be running for the first time this week in the post season test taking place in Abu Dhabi.

    This follows two months after Formula 3 announced their grid that Van Amersfoort Racing will be joining F3 next season (2022).

    VAR started over forty years ago, with a number of different drivers coming through. From the likes of Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Dennis Hauger and Jonny Edgar all having driven for the team over the years.

    FIA Formula 2 Championship CEO Bruno Michel said: “I am very pleased to welcome Van Amersfoort Racing to the Championship. I am certain that they will be a great addition to our grid, with them also competing in Formula 3 from next year. Joining F2 is always challenging, but their expertise and professionalism will undoubtably help them get to grips with the category quickly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank HWA RACELAB for their collaboration for the past two seasons, and I wish them success for their next challenge.”

    Rob Niessink, CEO of Van Amersfoort Racing adds: “After having recently announced our entry into the FIA F3 Championship, it now is an absolute pleasure to become part of the FIA F2 Championship as well. We are simply proud and consider this step as an important milestone in the long history of our team. It will be a challenge we don’t take lightly, and it might not come as a surprise that watching “our” F2 cars leave the pit-lane for the first time during the upcoming post-season test at Abu Dhabi will be a big moment for us. I want to thank Bruno Michel and HWA RACELAB for their support in making this happen.”

    My Opinion-

    I have heard of the Dutch team before with some drivers having driven for them in the past shows only good things. With them joining both Formula 2 and 3 grids it only shows good things in my opinion, looking back on the history of their drivers, it looks like they take time in spotting which drivers they want and they are all very talented now…