One Last Dance: Looking Back with Satisfaction at the Formula Winter Series Championship
Last weekend marked the final round of the Formula Winter Series Championship. Our team headed to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a jam-packed weekend of action. After several strong races, the team heads home satisfied with the championship standings. However, the team stays eager for more in the upcoming F4 Championships.
This weekend, we welcomed a new addition to the team: Aleksander Ruta. The Polish driver will also compete in the Italian Formula 4 Championship and the E4 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing. In his first race for the team, he showed promising speed. He qualified in P19 and moved up to P11, nearly scoring points in his debut race.
Maximilian Popov finished P21 in the first race due to some unfortunate circumstances. Dante Vinci drove a solid race and finished P13, while Payton Westcott gained valuable experience and ended in P19.
Credit: Fotocar13
The second race of the weekend ended in a DNF for Max. Alex continued to gain experience and confidence in his new car, finishing in P16. Dante just missed out on points, finishing in P12. Payton ended in P23.
In the final race, Dante once again finished just outside the points in P12. However, in the rookie standings, the Australian driver secured P3 and stepped onto the podium one more time. Max managed to gain a position and finished P13. Alex gained more valuable experience, finishing P24, while Payton wrapped up her time in the Formula Winter Series with a P25 finish.
Credit: Fotocar13
With the conclusion of the fourth round, the Formula Winter Series Championship has now come to an end. The team looks back with satisfaction at the results and the valuable experience gained. In the constructors' standings, the team secured a respectable fourth place. Max finished P5 in the drivers' standings, Dante P14, Alex P22, and Payton P28.
Now, it’s time for the team and our drivers to reflect and learn as much as possible ahead of the Italian F4 Championship. After all, the team is hungry for more than a fourth place. The first race weekend of the championship will take place from May 2-4 in Misano, Italy. Max, Dante, Alex, and Payton will be joined by Marcus Saeter for the rest of the F4 season. Stay tuned to VAR’s social channels to keep up with all the latest team updates.
Maximilian Popov - Formula 4 driver, Van Amersfoort Racing:
“Really difficult weekend for us. Unlucky to stay as last in the pit lane for a rainy qualifying, because of red flags we did 2 times less laps than others. We had great pace in all the races, but the starting position resulted in a mess in all of them. Anyway, FWS is done, we ended up P5 in the standings and were doing well all through the season. A huge thanks to the team for their approach and dedication, thanks to all team members for helping me grow as a driver. We surely can do even better in the Italian F4.”
Dante Vinci - Formula 4 driver, Van Amersfoort Racing:
“Strong pace, results didn’t really show it. It was more difficult for us in the wet, but in the dry we moved up places, and still achieved a rookie podium whilst very close to the points. Huge thanks to the team this championship, I’m looking forward to Italian F4!”
Payton Westcott - Formula 4 driver, Van Amersfoort Racing:
“The final weekend of FWS had its challenges, but it was a great learning experience. Practice went well, but I struggled to keep pace in qualifying and the races. Despite that, I gained valuable insights that will help me improve. A huge thank you to the Formula Winter Series for the opportunity and to VAR for their support throughout the season."