It all started in 1975. It has not been always easy. There has been highs and lows. But we have been faithful to the nature of our engagement. Building a strong racing team do in fact requires passion and dedication, in order to establish a tradition that you can be proud of. And moreover, attract dedicated people: engineers, mechanics, drivers, commercial partners. Here's a quick hovering of our history.
History
1975
2023
Richard Verschoor
In the second year of competing in the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships, Dutch driver Richard Verschoor claimed the first victory for Van Amersfoort Racing in F2. During the feature race in Spielberg, Verschoor started from 11th position, but was able to drive to the lead in the penultimate lap of the race.
2022
Entry in FIA F2 and FIA F3
The year 2022 marked a significant milestone for Van Amersfoort Racing with the entry into the prestigious FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 championships. In FIA F3, VAR's Franco Colapinto claimed pole position for the first race of the season in Bahrain. Sprint race wins were celebrated in the maiden season of the team in the championship in Imola and Monza.
2021
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman won both the German and Italian F4 Driver Championships in 2021, with Van Amersfoort Racing claiming the teams' championship and the Rookie Championship in both series as well.
2020
Jonny Edgar
In 2020, Red Bull Junior Team talent Jonny Edgar won the ADAC Formula 4 title ahead of Van Amersfoort Racing team-mate and Red Bull stablemate Jak Crawford. The British racing driver collected 6 wins and 11 podiums in his first season with Van Amersfoort Racing, which also clinched the team championship with 11 race wins.
2019
Dennis Hauger
Norwegian racing driver Dennis Hauger dominated the 2019 Italian F4 championship with Van Amersfoort Racing, winning 12 races and securing the title already in the penultimate round of the championship. The Red Bull Junior Team driver ended the season with a triple win at a wet Monza, helping Van Amersfoort Racing win the team championship.
2018
Liam Lawson
After racing in his home country New Zealand and Australia, Liam Lawson moved to Europe in 2018 to join VAR to compete in the ADAC Formula 4 championship. Lawson finished as runner-up in the championship, claiming three wins and three pole positions.
2016
Joey Mawson
In his second season with the team in the German ADAC Formula 4 championship, Sydney-born Joey Mawson - already 3rd in his rookie season in 2015 - managed to clinch the series title with one of the most impressive record. The Australian 2016 champion earned seven (7) poles, ten (10) wins, sixteen (16) podium and nineteen (19) Top-10 finishes.
2015
Charles Leclerc
In 2015, now Scuderia Ferrari Formula One team driver Charles Leclerc, was the FIA Formula 3 European Championship Rookie Champion with VAR, taking 4 wins and 13 podiums. His 2015 season was rounded off with a fantastic 2nd place in his debut at the Macau Grand Prix.
2015
Mick Schumacher
In 2015, Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, started racing in formula classes for the first time with Van Amersfoort Racing in the inaugural season of the ADAC Formula 4 championship. The German racing driver immediately won one of the races in the first weekend of the championship. Schumacher now competes in F1 with Haas F1 Team.
2014
Max Verstappen
Following in the footsteps of his father, Max joined VAR & was an instant success straight from Karting. Against a talented & experienced field of 28 drivers, Max won a total of 10 races, winning 6 races in a row at Spa & the Norisring to finish 3rd in the championship. Having become part of the Red Bull Junior Team mid-way through the season, Max joined the Formula One grid with Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2015 season, before graduating to Red Bull Racing in 2016.
2011
Richie Stanaway
2011 was undoubtedly VAR’s most successful season in the ATS Formel 3 Cup, with Kiwi Richie Stanaway taking 13 wins from the 18 races. Richie took a win at every round of the season, dominating the championship and only finished off the podium in 2 races. Following an unfortunate incident the following year in Formula Renault 3.5, Richie's since recovered from his injury and continues to move up the junior ladder. He has since joined the WEC championship.
2009
Laurens Vanthoor
In 2008, Laurens made the unique step of jumping from karting to Formula 3, at the age of just 16. Earning a podium in his third race, he went on to win 2 races in the season. 2009 marked one of VAR’s most successful years in F3, with Laurens winning the ATS Formel 3 Cup championship with 11 wins and VAR having a driver on the podium in every race; with Stef Dusseldorp as his teammate, who took 2 wins himself. He since raced sportcars in the Blancpain Endurance Series.
2007
Carlo van Dam
In 2004, Carlo made his debut for VAR in the Dutch Formula Renault championship, showing early signs of being a fantastic driver. In 2007 he returned as an experience driver, and went on to take 9 victories, 10 pole positions and 16 podiums; taking the ATS Formel 3 Cup championship with ease.
2005
Renger van der Zande
2004 marked Renger’s debut season in cars, following a successful karting career. Following a tough debut in 2004 in Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands, Renger did his homework in the winter and came back in 2005 reborn. His first victory came in the Masters weekend, with him going on to win 4 races in total during the season and taking the championship by 51 points. In the years since Renger has competed in DTM and GP2, and he’s now a success in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
2001
Jaap van Lagen
The 2001 season marked the return of VAR at the national level in the Formula Ford 1800 championship, with Jaap winning 1 race in his first season. Jaap then went on to race our Opel Dallara at the Marlboro Masters in 2002, racing against an experience field and gaining valuable experience. He went on to race in the WTCC, Porsche Supercup and at Le Mans in 2011.
1996-1998
Bas Leinders
If anyone has been a success at VAR, it’s Leinders. Bas raced for us in ‘96 in the Formula Opel Euroseries winning 8 races and the championship, and then once again in 1997 in German Formula 3, finishing 7th with only bad luck stopping a victory. In 1998 however, we witnessed our most successful season, with Bas taking the championship and VAR becoming the first Dutch team to win such a highly regarded championship.
1998
Christijan Albers
In ‘98, Albers was unknown to many, despite winning the Formula Ford championship in 1997. Christijan raced for us in the German F3 championship, finishing 3rd in his very first F3 race that year at Hockenheim; going on to record two wins during the season and finishing 5th in the championship. He went on to have a successful career, racing in Formula One, DTM and at Le Mans.
1995
Manual Giao
In 1995, Portugese Manuel Giao raced for VAR in the Formula Opel Euroseries. After a successful season, Manuel finished runner up at the last minute, beaten by Jason Watt, who was racing for our colleagues at AR Motorsport from Haarlem. His career was very pleasing on the eye, but the season was sometimes characterized by the overly warm-blooded actions of Manuel.
1994
Tom Coronel
Tom moved to the team following championship wins in both the Dutch Touring Car and the Dutch Formula Ford championship’s. In ‘94 he had a very successful year for VAR in the Formula Opel Euroseries, with 8 pole positions and 2 victories; finishing runner up. Tom went on to compete in F3 the next year, his career including numerous WTCC victories and successful races at Le Mans.
1993
Vincent Radermecker
Following his British Formula Ford championship win in 1992, Vincent wanted more. He was a smart racer, winning 5 races in the Formula Opel Euroseries and won the title on track; only for it to be taken away from him off the track. Vincent was nevertheless a sought after driver, and raced in both the WTCC and BTCC.
1992
Jos Verstappen
Jos needs no introduction. Following a fantastic karting career, he stepped into Formula Opel Lotus and dominated the Benelux championship in his first season with us, as well as dominating two rounds of the Euroseries. The rest of his career is well known. After winning the Formula Opel German F3 Championship in ‘93, he stepped up to Formula One where he entered 107 races and earned twice a podium finish with Benetton.
1989
Marcel Albers
Marcel drove for us in 1989, winning the ‘89 Dutch Formula Ford championship; with the short Zandvoort track being his speciality. After driving for Jan Lammers in Formula Opel the following year, Marcel moved to F3 for the ‘91 and ‘92 seasons. Following a victory in the first race of the ‘92 season, he sadly crashed fatally at Thruxton. It was a great loss, as besides being an excellent driver, Marcel was a good friend of the team.
1975
Huub Rothengatter
In 1975, racing driver Huub Rothengatter walked into Frits’ family garage and asked for help to repaint his Formula Ford 1600. Frits decided to help him and even stepped in as his mechanic during the following races. Later that year, they secured their first race win together. This triumph marked the beginning of Van Amersfoort Racing’s successful journey!