After two seasons in Formula 3, Laurens van Hoepen is approaching his first full Formula 2 campaign with TRIDENT, focused on maximising performance in every race weekend.
The Dutch driver made his F2 debut during the final three rounds of the 2025 season. Still adapting to the machinery, his best result came in the Yas Marina Sprint Race with a P14 finish.
Building momentum
Following the season finale, van Hoepen took part in the post-season test with TRIDENT, steadily improving over the three days. On Day 1, he finished 21st in the opening morning session and climbed to 6th in the final session of Day 3, finishing just 0.689 seconds behind the leader.
Speaking to F2 during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, van Hoepen shared: “I’m feeling good. We have been testing a lot during these days, using all the times we have to make sure that we are going to be strong at the front next year.”
“I’ve been driving round in circles a lot. It’s going well, we gathered some valuable data, focused on that, doing our own stuff and making sure we find the things we need too.”
He went on to explain the importance of having prior F2 experience and building his relationship with TRIDENT.
“Of course it’s super valuable to have had this time with the team, because in the end, it’s still a step from F3. So to have done those races as a driver, it’s useful to already have an advantage and not be a full on rookie going into next year.”
“Also, together with the team, it’s good because now we know each other quite well and we have built a good relationship, so it’s super nice to do those rounds.”
Minimizing mistakes and maximising performance
When asked about his goals for the 2026 Formula 2 season, van Hoepen said: “It’s so difficult to say what exactly are goals, because with the test, we were focusing on our own thing, so it’s difficult to see where we stand.”
“I am just looking forward to doing the best I can, and let’s say after every session, coming back to the box, saying I’ve done the maximum I could, I have gotten the maximum out the car, that’s the main target, to always be happy with the performance I have done.”
He concluded: “Of course I am going to make mistakes, but trying to make them as little as possible and I’ll be happy with that.”
