Trident’s Laurens van Hoepen continued on his strong run of form as the Dutch driver claimed his first-ever pole position during Qualifying at the 2026 F2 Canadian GP. In a stop-start session, where several drivers found the limits around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, a tow on his final lap proved decisive as he secured pole by 0.267s.
Speaking in the post-Qualifying press conference, where Pit Debrief was in attendance, the 20 year-old reflected on his session, describing it as one that was “very exciting”. Starting in prime positions for both races, he hopes to capitalise on the opportunity to score strong results this weekend.
“Yeah, it was a very exciting session with a lot of things happening during the session, and we made the most of it. We got the last bit in the end, which was quite tight in timing, and I got my first pole position. So I’m very happy and ready to keep working and make sure that we capitalise on this in the races.”
Although he thought the session was over after the second red flag, van Hoepen explained how he had to quickly refocus and deliver the final laps needed for pole—something he was ultimately pleased to achieve.
“It was difficult because I thought it was done after the second red flag, and then I had to refocus to make sure I was still in it for the last two laps. So it made it a bit more difficult, but honestly, I felt strong the whole session.”
“And also on the laps when there were red flags, I was already on a good lap, so I know the pace was there. It was just to have a lap where I could pull it together, which we did in the end. So yeah, it was good.”
Trident continue to make strides
Currently sitting 4th in the Drivers’ Standings with 26 points, the Dutch driver has already claimed two podiums in two rounds. Now, with a pole position added to his tally, this success has highlighted the clear progress Trident has made after several difficult years in the championship.
“Yeah, it’s been nice. I mean, it shows that we’re there, it shows that we’re competitive every weekend so far, and we’re just improving step by step, which is the target. So yeah, it’s good.”, van Hoepen said.
“Also, the team has done a good job. So we’ve been working really hard, and it shows. I mean, now we have to just keep going like this and keep working, which I’m sure we will be doing.”
Crediting the team for the hard work behind their success, van Hoepen highlighted teammate John Bennett’s career-best Qualifying results as an added bonus to their day, where the Briton finished P7 to secure the Italian outfit a double top ten finish to end the day.
He said: “Yeah, obviously the team did a really good job in the qualifying today, also with John [Bennett] having his best result. And I think it just comes down to the hard work we’ve been doing with the team. You know, we’re all comfortable with each other. We start to understand each other much better and better. And yeah, we’re just taking it step by step.”
“Also, I think we’ve been strong since pre-season testing and in the first couple rounds, where I was just able to extract vitals from the car, which was nice. So yeah, we just have to keep going in this way and be fine.”
Preparation key to confidence shown
Like any other round, he explained that thorough preparation in the simulator remains key to delivering results like these. van Hoepen also noted that it was what helped equip him for the weekend ahead.
“I mean, it starts with the preparation. We did a lot of preparation in the sim to make sure that you’re ready for a track like this. We really focused our attention on all the tricky parts of this track. And I think then that made me really prepared for what was coming.”
After finishing P7 in Free Practice, the 20 year-old said it gave him confidence heading into Qualifying. Explaining the importance of building on momentum, he said: “FP was good. So it also gave me some more confidence for quali. And then I think the main thing is to start strong and then keep trying and keep it there lap by lap.”
“Again, especially on this track where there’s a lot of risk for red flag, it’s important that every lap is a good lap. And here we’re up there all session, which then also gives you kind of more confidence for that last lap.”
van Hoepen: Trident “changing” their F2 fate in 2026
The Italian outfit has certainly made a name for itself in Formula 3, having crowned the last three Drivers’ champions. However, the same success has not translated into Formula 2. The team recorded its lowest-ever points tally in a season last year, scoring just two points.
The Dutch driver and the team’s strong start to 2026 marks a stark contrast in performance and is a clear indication of the progress made over the winter break. Speaking about their progress, van Hoepen said: “I mean, in Formula 3, obviously Trident has been really, really good. Not so much in F2, but I think we are kind of changing that this year.”
“And yeah, we have been pushing hard. I mean, we got a good group together and it is going well so far. So it is difficult to say really, one thing that is missing or that wasn’t there before what it is now. But overall, I think it is just the way we have been working together that really makes a difference, I think.”
Comfort and competitiveness from the outset made session easier
When asked about his confidence and chances after his competitive first run, to which van Hoepen explained: “I had a good feeling inside the car during the whole session. Like, from lap one, we were kind of up there. And yeah, I knew straight away if I made a mistake, where to improve and how to fix it. And that just made the session a lot easier.”
“Then I think it was just a bit tricky with that penultimate lap where I was like falling down to P10. A lot of pressure came in that last lap to do a good job. But I mean, we managed it well. And as soon as I saw I was going quick from my dash, I knew like, this is going to be a good lap and just have to finish it, basically.”
With a potential threat of wet weather still looming for Sunday, the Dutch driver echoed similar sentiments to his fellow top three finishers, Rafael Câmara and Alex Dunne, and said that the team will need to stay prepared and adapt to the conditions as they come.
“I would say similar to Rafa and Alex. I mean, if it rains, it rains for everyone. So in that case, there’s not much difference. It’s just to be as prepared as possible for both conditions and keep open-minded. I think, you know, there could be also some scenarios where it’s like 50-50 if you want to start on dry or wet tyres.”
“So you just have to keep open-minded and just be prepared. I mean, I think it’s a tricky track in the rain, for sure. But I mean, we’ve learned a lot from Miami as well, which is also tricky there. So just take that and focus on the job, basically.”
van Hoepen on the importance of balancing risk versus reward
When asked by Pit Debrief about balancing risk versus reward, particularly with the track being so dusty, van Hoepen admitted it was a tough challenge. However, he noted the importance of finding a fine balance between pushing and being wary of the close walls around the track.
“Yeah, it’s been tricky for sure. With the dustiness of the track. I mean, this morning in FP, I wasn’t expecting it to be that tricky. Also, the crashes are really close. You have got late snaps, you’re close to the walls.”
He added: “And then with the track being that dirty, it makes it all very tricky. But yeah, the main thing is just to maximise what you have and be aware that it can be close. And don’t do crazy things and start over-pushing. I think it’s the main thing with stuff like that.”
In van Hoepen’s case, he was ultimately rewarded with a powerful tow that played a part in helping him secure pole position. When asked whether it was something teams had planned for, the Dutch driver explained that it was definitely on the cards and said he was pleased to have executed it well and made the most of it.
“We knew that the tow was going to be powerful here, so it’s definitely something we took into account. I think in my quali lap, I definitely had a bit of tow, which for sure helped. It came together quite nicely. It was kind of the plan also to have a bit of tow, so we executed it well and it just worked out.”
