Richard Verschoor moves to VAR for 2023 season

Van Amersfoort Racing has confirmed that two-time race winner Richard Verschoor will drive for the team in next season’s Formula 2 Championship.

Verschoor, who turns 22 today, tested with the team at the post-season test at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, finishing the first day in the car as the fastest overall.

The Dutch driver will now link up with his compatriots at VAR for next year, a prospect that Verschoor says he is hugely looking forward to already.

“I am extremely excited to return to the F2 grid again in 2023 and I am really happy to do so with Van Amersfoort Racing. It is special to be able to announce this on my 22nd birthday as well! As both myself and VAR have grown a lot during last year in F2, I feel very confident about the upcoming season.

“For me, testing with VAR during the post-season test at Abu Dhabi instantly confirmed their extreme determination to further grow, and that suits my attitude very well! It will be an exciting year and I especially look forward to racing in Melbourne, not to mention Zandvoort. I’m ready for another year of F2 excitement!”

Debuting in single seater racing back in 2016, Verschoor has shone at multiple levels since. He won at Formula 4 level before graduating to Toyota Racing Series in 2017, where he finished third overall with three victories. He went one better the following season with P2 in the series before moving into FIA Formula 3 in 2019. He was victorious in Macau that season and after two seasons in F3, graduated to Formula 2.

Since then, Verschoor has been a mainstay in the Championship, winning at least once in both seasons he has completed and he ended the 2022 season 12th in the Standings for Trident, claiming victory in the opening round in Sakhir alongside a further three podium finishes.

VAR CEO Rob Niessink said that his experience would prove hugely valuable for the Dutch team’s progress and second season in 2023.

"Of course, it is special to have a talented, Dutch driver like Richard as a part of our 2023 F2 line-up. It might be needless to say that we, as a Dutch team, enjoy very much the opportunity of having a countryman as part of our driver line-up, especially at this high level of racing. Last year we went on a huge learning streak, which for sure will continue into the new season.

“Richard brings, besides his raw talent and race craft, valuable F2 experience to the team and that will surely benefit us when it comes to further developing the car. He impressed strongly during the post-season test with us at Abu-Dhabi, setting the fastest overall time on the first day out on track. As last year, 2023 is going to be another exciting year for all of us and we look forward to the moment the lights go out for the first time in Bahrain!”