Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) has confirmed Mexican driver Fernando Rivera for the 2027 Formula Winter Series and German Formula 4 Championship, marking his first move into European single-seater competition. The 16-year-old joins the Dutch outfit following a competitive 2026 campaign across the F4 NACAM Championship and Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), during which he secured his maiden single-seater victory and multiple podium finishes.
Rivera will begin his European programme in the Formula Winter Series before progressing into German F4, which returns in 2027 under the organisation of GEDLICH Racing. The move represents an important step in his development as he prepares to compete on unfamiliar circuits against a new field of international competitors.
Rivera progresses from Mexican karting to F4 competition
Rivera began his motorsport career in karting, competing in several national championships before progressing into single-seater machinery. His early achievements included finishing third in the Senior X30 category of Mexico’s Reto Telmex karting championship in 2025, demonstrating competitive pace before taking the next step in his racing career.
Later that year, the Mexican made his single-seater debut in the F4 NACAM Championship, entering a regional series that has provided opportunities for emerging drivers to develop their skills before progressing internationally.
Rivera made an immediate impression during his debut weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Despite having limited experience in F4 machinery, he secured second place and recorded the fastest lap, providing an encouraging introduction to single-seater racing.
The result established a foundation for his development as he continued gaining experience with the car and adapting to the demands of competitive formula racing. His early performances also highlighted his ability to compete near the front despite entering the championship with considerably less experience than several established drivers.
Rivera subsequently expanded his racing commitments for 2026, combining a return to F4 NACAM with his first appearances in the United States.
Rivera claims maiden F4 victory during 2026 NACAM campaign
Rivera continued his development in the 2026 F4 NACAM Championship, building on the experience gained during his debut season. The additional running allowed him to improve his understanding of single-seater machinery while competing at familiar circuits across Mexico.
His most significant achievement came at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where he secured his first victory in the championship. The result represented an important milestone following his encouraging debut at the same venue in 2025, demonstrating the progress he had made over the intervening months.
The Mexican also collected further podium finishes during the campaign, establishing himself as a competitive presence within the championship. At the time of VAR’s announcement, Rivera occupied fifth in the standings, with his performances providing valuable momentum ahead of his move to Europe.
However, his 2026 programme extended beyond Mexico. Rivera simultaneously competed in F4 U.S. with Crosslink Motorsports, gaining experience at several North American circuits while adapting to different competition and racing environments.
The decision to contest both championships provided additional opportunities to develop his racecraft, particularly as he began competing against drivers with different backgrounds and levels of single-seater experience.
Rivera secures breakthrough F4 U.S. podium in Canada
Rivera’s F4 U.S. campaign provided another important stage in his development, with the Mexican competing for Crosslink Motorsports against an increasingly competitive field throughout 2026.
His breakthrough came during the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park weekend, where he secured his first championship podium with third place in Race 2. Starting seventh, Rivera progressed through the field and overcame a close battle with Kiwi Motorsport’s Ayden Kohut to secure the final podium position.
Although the race featured several incidents and retirements, Rivera capitalised on the opportunities available and finished ahead of Kohut, Luca Day and Clemente Huerta Raab. His result represented his strongest performance in F4 U.S. at that stage of the season, providing further evidence of his progress.
The podium also contributed to a successful weekend for Crosslink Motorsports, which celebrated multiple victories and podium finishes across F4 U.S. and FR Americas.
Rivera subsequently continued his campaign at VIRginia International Raceway, where he finished sixth in both races. Although he was unable to match his Canadian podium, the consistent results provided additional championship points ahead of the season finale.
Barber runner-up finish completes Rivera’s American campaign
Rivera concluded his 2026 F4 U.S. campaign at Barber Motorsports Park in October, securing his strongest championship result during the final race of the season.
The Mexican finished second behind Kiwi Motorsport’s Clemente Huerta Raab, improving upon his previous best of third at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The result also allowed him to end the campaign with another podium, reinforcing the progress demonstrated throughout his first year competing in the United States.
His second-place finish came during a weekend dominated by Huerta Raab, who secured victories in both races. Meanwhile, Rivera finished ahead of several established competitors, including championship runner-up Caleb Campbell, who completed the final podium position.
Rivera’s performances throughout 2026 demonstrated his ability to adapt to different racing environments, having competed across Mexico, the United States and Canada within the same season.
The experience will provide a foundation for his European programme, particularly as he prepares to encounter unfamiliar circuits and a different competitive environment.
Having achieved his first F4 NACAM victory and podium finishes in F4 U.S., Rivera will now aim to build on those results during his third year of single-seater competition.
Rivera welcomes opportunity to race with VAR
Rivera expressed his enthusiasm for joining VAR, describing the move as an important opportunity to continue his development following his successful North American campaigns.
The Mexican acknowledged his achievements throughout 2026 while outlining his ambitions for the upcoming European season.
“I’m very proud to be joining Van Amersfoort Racing for the Formula Winter Series and F4 Germany. After a strong season in F4 NACAM and F4 US, with one win and four podiums, I’m ready to take this next step. I’m looking forward to racing on new tracks, working with the team and fighting for strong results in 2027.”
His move will introduce several new challenges, particularly as he adapts to European circuits and establishes a working relationship with his new engineers and mechanics.
However, the decision to contest the Formula Winter Series before German F4 should provide Rivera with valuable preparation. The winter championship will allow him to gain experience in competitive conditions before the main season begins, while also developing his understanding of VAR’s engineering approach.
The programme also offers continuity across two championships, allowing Rivera to remain with the same organisation as he begins his first season of European racing.
Joyce highlights importance of European experience
VAR Team Principal Brad Joyce welcomed Rivera’s arrival, highlighting the experience gained during his campaigns in Mexico and the United States.
Joyce believes the Mexican’s performances provide a strong starting point for his development, although he acknowledged that racing in Europe will represent a significant step forward.
“We’re pleased to welcome Fernando to the team for 2027. He has gained valuable experience in F4 NACAM and F4 US, including a win in NACAM this season. Moving to Europe and racing on new circuits will be an important step for him. The Formula Winter Series will give him the opportunity to get up to speed before taking on German F4. We’re looking forward to working with him next season.”
Rivera will join a team with considerable experience developing young drivers across the international single-seater ladder. VAR currently competes in several leading junior championships, including FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3 and the Formula Regional European Championship.
The Dutch outfit has also established a strong record in Formula 4, having previously developed drivers who progressed into higher categories and professional motorsport.
For Rivera, the opportunity to work within that structure should provide valuable guidance as he prepares for the next stage of his career.
Formula Winter Series introduces revised format for 2027
Rivera will begin his European racing programme in the 2027 Formula Winter Series, which features five event weekends across Portugal and Spain.
The championship provides young drivers with competitive experience ahead of the main European F4 season, with events taking place at established international circuits. For Rivera, the programme will also provide an introduction to European racing environments before his German F4 debut.
However, the upcoming season will feature significant changes to its sporting regulations. Organisers have introduced a revised tournament-style format for 2027, replacing the previous race structure with preliminary heats and separate Masters and Contenders races.
The new format will limit individual race grids to 28 cars, with drivers progressing through qualifying and preliminary races before competing in their respective final contests.
Furthermore, revised championship points will reward performances across the different races, providing additional opportunities for developing drivers to score points even when they do not qualify for the Masters Race.
The championship will visit Portimão, Estoril, Jerez, Barcelona and Valencia during the winter, giving Rivera experience across several circuits that regularly feature in international junior motorsport.
VAR prepares for return to German F4
Rivera’s main 2027 programme will take place in the revived German F4 Championship, which returns following the conclusion of the previous ADAC Formula 4 series in 2022.
The new championship has confirmed a 14-team grid, with VAR joining several established international organisations. The Dutch team will operate a four-car programme, making it one of the largest competitors on the grid.
VAR brings considerable experience to the category, having competed in the original ADAC Formula 4 Championship from its introduction in 2015. The organisation enjoyed significant success during that period, securing three Drivers’ Championships and two Teams’ titles.
Its previous championship-winning drivers include Jonny Edgar in 2020 and Oliver Bearman in 2021, while the team has also helped develop several competitors who subsequently progressed into Formula 1 and other leading international categories.
The decision to return therefore reconnects VAR with a championship that played an important role in its junior driver development programme.
Furthermore, the organisation already has experience working with promoter GEDLICH Racing through its Formula Winter Series activities, providing an established relationship ahead of the new German championship.
German F4 to feature seven rounds alongside DTM
The revived German F4 Championship will contest seven event weekends between May and October 2027, with five rounds taking place alongside the DTM. The arrangement will provide young drivers with opportunities to compete during one of Germany’s leading motorsport events.
The season will begin at Oschersleben from 7–9 May before continuing to the Lausitzring and Norisring. Further events are scheduled at the Red Bull Ring, Nürburgring and Sachsenring, with the championship concluding at Hockenheim in October.
The provisional calendar also includes two ADAC Racing Weekend appearances, while the Norisring event remains subject to final confirmation.
In addition to the competitive schedule, organisers have introduced a €500,000 Race For Gold prize programme, with awards available for the overall champion, leading rookie and highest-placed female competitor.
The championship will therefore provide Rivera with an opportunity to compete against an international grid while gaining experience at circuits that regularly host higher categories of motorsport.
With VAR’s four-car entry confirmed, the Mexican will also benefit from working alongside several teammates as the organisation prepares for its German F4 return.
Rivera targets continued development during first European campaign
Rivera’s move to VAR represents an important progression following two seasons of single-seater racing in North America. His maiden F4 NACAM victory, alongside podium finishes in F4 U.S., has demonstrated his ability to compete successfully across different championships.
Nevertheless, his first European campaign will introduce unfamiliar circuits, new competitors and the challenge of adapting to a different racing environment.
The combination of the Formula Winter Series and German F4 should provide an opportunity to approach that transition progressively, beginning with winter competition before moving into a full championship programme.
For VAR, Rivera’s arrival adds another emerging driver to its expanding Formula 4 operations as the Dutch organisation prepares for the return of German F4.
With his 2027 programme now confirmed, Rivera will turn his attention towards preparations for the Formula Winter Series as he begins the next chapter of his racing career.
