Verschoor says he’s already adjusted to life at Trident after six years with MP Motorsport

After six years with MP Motorsport, Richard Verschoor will be stepping into the unknown this year with Trident, and although the Dutchman admits it will be strange to turn out for a different team on a permanent basis, he’s welcoming the challenge, as well as the chance to spend a lot of time in Italy.

Apart from a one-round stint with Charouz Racing System at the end of last season, Verschoor has solely driven for Dutch compatriots MP since stepping up to Formula 3 in 2019. Overall, his association with the team stretches back to 2016, when he won the SMP and Spanish F4 titles with them in his first year of single-seaters.

A late addition to the grid, Verschoor is grateful for the opportunity of a second F2 season and says he’s settled in quickly.

“It has not been easy, but I am really happy with the opportunity that Trident has given me,” said Verschoor. “Without the Dutch partners that I have gotten this year, which are many, I wouldn’t be able to drive. I’m very grateful to have them by my side, it makes me very motivated to start.

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“I’ve been working with MP for six years, so they’re like a family to me and I will have to adjust to a new environment, but I feel used to it already and I think we can do a good season together.”

“I have always loved Italy. I love going and have already been a few times to work on the simulator with Trident and to go-kart.”

Although he didn’t end the season with MP in 2021, Verschoor finished as their highest placed driver. Scoring a maiden win in the second Sprint Race at Silverstone, Verschoor placed 11th in his rookie year, taking eight points finishes in six rounds with MP.

“Overall, the progress was alright, although we were up and down throughout the year,” he continued. “We had some good races, and we had some bad races.

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“I think that our Feature Races were okay, but Qualifying was an issue many times and that’s something that I’ve worked on over the winter, to improve on my side. Hopefully, with the team at Trident, we can make a good step forward, both in Qualifying and races.”

Debuting for the Italian team at pre-season testing, Verschoor finished second on Day 2 of testing in Sakhir, while totting up 128 laps across the two and a half days as he worked to get to grips with his new machinery.

“I am used to the F2 car but of course every team’s car is different,” he continued. “I just want to get the best out of the package that we have. I really hope that we can make a step forward with Trident.

“I don't think they've had the results that they’ve wanted to achieve in the past couple of years, but I believe that they’re a very good team. I am really looking forward to doing well with them because I really believe that they can.”