Van Amersfoort Racing completed its strongest FIA F3 campaign to date in 2025, finishing fifth in the Teams’ Championship with 138 points. The Dutch squad recorded three race victories, multiple podium finishes, and its highest-ever points tally since entering the championship. As a result, the season marked a clear step forward for a team that has often struggled to convert promise into results in one of junior motorsport’s most competitive environments.
Although the campaign featured fluctuations in form, particularly during the second half of the year, Van Amersfoort Racing consistently demonstrated that it could challenge established frontrunners. Ultimately, 2025 represented both a proof of concept and a foundation for further growth.
Gradual progress with several breakthroughs
Prior to 2025, Van Amersfoort Racing had built a reputation as a development-focused team in F3, often competitive but rarely consistent across a full season. From 2022 to 2024, the team finished between sixth and seventh in the Teams’ Championship, with points totals ranging from 75 to 91.
Consequently, expectations entering 2025 centred on incremental improvement rather than a dramatic leap. However, with a revised F3 car and a driver line-up blending experience and rookie talent, the team aimed to establish itself firmly within the midfield and reduce the gap to the leading squads. Over the course of the season, Van Amersfoort Racing exceeded those expectations.
Ultimately, they finished fifth in the Teams’ Championship with 138 points, narrowly missing out on fourth place to ART Grand Prix on 152 points. At the same time, the team maintained a ten-point buffer over Rodin Motorsport in sixth, underlining its position as a leading midfield force.
Notably, this result represented a significant increase on the team’s previous best points total in F3. Moreover, Van Amersfoort Racing achieved three race wins and several additional podiums, confirming that its performance gains were not circumstantial but repeatable under varying conditions.
A fast start sets the tone
The season began with immediate impact in Melbourne. Santiago Ramos claimed victory in the Sprint Race, delivering the team’s first win of the year and signalling strong early adaptation to the new car. At the same event, rookie Théophile Naël finished third in the Feature Race, securing a podium on his F3 debut and reinforcing the team’s momentum.
This strong opening proved pivotal. In the following rounds, Van Amersfoort Racing continued to score heavily, most notably at Imola, where Ramos secured a commanding Feature Race victory. Later, the Barcelona weekend became the defining highlight of the season. Ivan Domingues claimed victory in the Sprint Race, becoming the first Portuguese driver to win in FIA F3, while the team amassed a substantial points haul across both races.
By the halfway point of the season, Van Amersfoort Racing sat fourth in the Teams’ Championship with over 100 points, already surpassing its totals from several previous campaigns.
Consistency proves elusive in the second half
Despite the strong first half, the latter stages of the season exposed the unforgiving nature of F3. Across the final five rounds, Van Amersfoort Racing scored just 22 points, as qualifying inconsistencies and race-day incidents disrupted its momentum.
At circuits such as Spielberg, Spa-Francorchamps, and Budapest, poor grid positions frequently left drivers vulnerable to midfield congestion. Furthermore, the cancellation of the Spa Feature Race removed a potential recovery opportunity. While the team remained competitive in isolated sessions, it struggled to replicate the execution that defined its early success.
Nevertheless, Van Amersfoort Racing maintained composure and avoided a complete collapse, ensuring that its early-season gains translated into a strong final championship position.
Performance and driver development
Théophile Naël emerged as the team’s most consistent performer. Competing in all ten rounds, the French rookie finished eighth in the Drivers’ Championship with 72 points, the highest championship result ever achieved by a Van Amersfoort Racing driver in FIA F3. Across the season, he claimed three podium finishes and repeatedly demonstrated strong race pace, tyre management, and recovery drives.
Santiago Ramos delivered some of the team’s most memorable moments. He finished 15th in the standings with 48 points, yet his tally understated his impact. Victories in the Melbourne Sprint Race and Imola Feature Race, along with a Sprint podium in Barcelona, highlighted his ability to perform at the front when qualifying allowed. However, inconsistency over one lap frequently left him mired in traffic, limiting his opportunities to score regularly. His absence from the Monza finale further curtailed his final total.
Ivan Domingues completed his rookie season with 18 points, all scored during a breakthrough weekend in Barcelona. While his campaign featured frequent qualifying struggles and several race incidents, his Sprint Race victory in Spain represented a historic and confidence-boosting achievement. Over time, he showed improved racecraft and resilience, even if results did not consistently reflect his development.
James Hedley appeared for the team only at the Monza finale, replacing Ramos. He did not score points, although his inclusion added continuity for the final round.
Wins that defined the season
Several moments encapsulated Van Amersfoort Racing’s 2025 campaign. Ramos’ Sprint Race victory in Melbourne set an immediate competitive tone. His Feature Race win at Imola showcased the team’s ability to execute under pressure on a demanding circuit. Domingues’ Sprint Race triumph in Barcelona delivered both a historic milestone and a morale boost, while Naël’s podium finishes, particularly at Melbourne, Barcelona, and Silverstone, underscored his consistency and growth.
Collectively, these performances demonstrated that Van Amersfoort Racing could compete with and defeat more established teams when conditions aligned.
From midfield hopefuls to proven contenders
In conclusion, Van Amersfoort Racing’s 2025 FIA F3 season marked a turning point in the team’s trajectory. Fifth place in the Teams’ Championship, a record points tally, and multiple victories confirmed that the squad has moved beyond mere participation and into genuine contention.
Although the second half of the season exposed areas for refinement, particularly in qualifying execution and consistency, the broader picture remained positive. Van Amersfoort Racing proved that it can challenge major names in F3 and sustain competitive performance across a full campaign. As attention turns to 2026, the foundations laid in 2025 offer a clear platform for the team to pursue even greater ambitions.
