Pedro Lima has joined Van Amersfoort Racing for the 2026 Formula Winter Series, Italian F4 Championship, and the E4 Championship. The Brazilian driver made the transition from karting to single-seaters in 2025 in the Brazilian F4 Championship. After a strong debut season, he became the youngest driver in Brazilian F4 history to secure a race win. At just 15 years old, Lima has already impressed as he continues to rise through the ranks.
As he prepares for a demanding 2026 campaign across multiple championships, preparation both on and off the track remains a key focus for the young driver.
The importance of preparation for the racing season in F4
In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief during his 2026 Formula Winter Series campaign, Lima discussed what preparation for an F4 racing season looks like, both during the off-season and throughout the racing calendar.
He explained: “During my off-season, normally I take a break. I spend a lot of time sleeping, but I also go to the gym a lot to keep the pace going, you know, like not losing myself in the breaks.
“Every time I get into racing weekends, I stop training. I just focus on my health, eating better, and sleeping as much as I can. And yeah, working a lot of track things like videos. And yeah, I think that’s the things that I do the most.“
While physical preparation plays a crucial role in a driver’s performance, maintaining strong mental health is just as important in a highly competitive environment. The constant pressure to improve and progress through the ranks can take a toll on young drivers. Speaking about his mental preparation and how he deals with difficult race weekends, Lima stated:
“I do psychological therapy sometimes, like one or two times in the week. So, I think it’s really good for the person to look out after their mental health. I think this helps a lot. This is a big part in the sport that we are in. So yeah, I try to do that a lot to focus on my mental health and always be as prepared as possible for whatever comes in track.”
The value of the simulator in modern racing
While physical and mental preparation are vital, developing technical skills and familiarity with circuits is equally important. The simulator has become a key tool for many racing drivers, particularly when they are unfamiliar with a track. However, while it plays a valuable role in preparation, the most important learning in racing still takes place on the circuit.
When asked about his perspective on using the simulator for preparation, the Brazilian driver said:
“I think the simulator is really helpful when you don’t know the track. It helps a lot to know where to brake and to know where to turn. I also think that even when you know the track, I think it’s a really good way to improve since we cannot always be on track.
“So, I think every time that I’m not on track, I always try to be in my simulator and try to find time. If I find something in the simulator, I can also use it in real life. So, I think it is really useful to do it even though you don’t know the track.”
Developing as a racer with Van Amersfoort Racing
As Van Amersfoort Racing is known for developing young talent, Lima has joined a team with a strong track record of nurturing future stars for his 2026 F4 campaigns. The Dutch outfit has previously worked with drivers such as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, and it will now play an important role in Lima’s continued progression in single-seater racing.
Speaking about his relationship with the team, Lima said: “My relationship with the team has been pretty great since the beginning. They are really attentive. They help me a lot. One thing that they helped me a lot was to understand more of the car, how the car works, the balance. And I think that was the biggest part.
“I think I went, I came really raw here to the team. Now I am much better at giving feedback of what the car is doing. Improving on track as well, my speed and how I manage everything. I think the team helped me a lot in this part.”
Despite his young age, the 15-year-old has already demonstrated clear progress in both consistency and performance since stepping into single-seater racing. Through a combination of physical preparation, mental training, simulator work, and the support of Van Amersfoort Racing, Lima continues to build the foundations of his racing career.
