Japanese racer Hiyu Yamakoshi will step up to F3 in 2026, continuing his long-standing relationship with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR). The Dutch outfit confirmed Yamakoshi as their second driver for the upcoming season, following the earlier announcement of Jesse Carrasquedo.
This marks a significant step in the 18-year-old’s burgeoning career, as he prepares to make his debut in one of the most competitive junior single-seater championships in the world.
A natural progression with VAR
Yamakoshi’s promotion comes as little surprise. Over the past two years, he has built a strong foundation with VAR, delivering consistently strong results across multiple championships. Notably, in 2024, he competed in both the Italian F4 and Euro 4 Championships, securing four victories and finishing third and fourth in the standings respectively.
In 2025, the Japanese driver made his debut in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), where he claimed two podiums and currently sits eighth overall with consistent performances throughout the season.
With 2026 on the horizon, Yamakoshi expressed both gratitude and anticipation: “First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone who gave me this opportunity. This will be my third year working with VAR, which I think is going to be really helpful for my first FIA F3 season. I can’t wait for my F3 tests and I’m already very excited to get my F3 race weekend. See you at our first official test at Jerez.”
VAR confident in Yamakoshi’s F3 potential
Van Amersfoort Racing have long been known for nurturing young talent, and team principal Brad Joyce is confident in Yamakoshi’s ability to rise to the challenge.
“We’re pleased to continue our journey with Hiyu as he steps up to FIA Formula 3,” Joyce commented. “He’s been great to work with so far – a hard worker with a professional approach – and we’re confident he will adjust well to this next step on the international stage.”
“The upcoming tests will be his first chance to get behind the wheel of the F3 machinery and lay the groundwork for a strong season ahead. We’re looking forward to supporting his development and are confident we can achieve great results together.”
Rapid rise through the ranks
Yamakoshi’s journey through the junior single-seater ladder has been impressively swift and consistent. To begin with, he built a solid foundation in karting, which paved the way for his transition into single-seaters. In 2023, he made his debut in the F4 UAE Championship, marking his first step into formula racing. Following that, he undertook full-season campaigns in both the French F4 and Spanish F4 Championships, gaining valuable experience and proving his potential early on.
Moving into 2024, Yamakoshi began to truly make his mark. In particular, his performances in the Italian F4 Championship stood out; he claimed two wins, seven podiums, and three pole positions, ultimately finishing third overall. At the same time, he balanced a parallel campaign in the Euro 4 Championship, where he added two victories to his name and secured fourth place in the final standings. Thanks to his consistency and adaptability, he quickly established himself as a serious contender in both series.
At the start of 2025, Yamakoshi further broadened his experience by joining the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, gaining exposure to a more powerful car and more competitive grid. Shortly after, he returned to Europe, continuing his upward trajectory by competing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) with Van Amersfoort Racing. In addition, he complemented his schedule with a part-time campaign in the GB3 Championship with Hillspeed, showcasing his versatility across different formats and circuits.
Eyes on a strong debut season
With a solid foundation, experienced team, and growing international recognition, Hiyu Yamakoshi enters 2026 with momentum and motivation. His familiarity with Van Amersfoort Racing will prove invaluable as he makes the leap into F3 — a crucial stage on the path to the top tiers of motorsport.
As pre-season testing approaches, all eyes will be on Jerez, where Yamakoshi will get his first taste of the machinery that could define the next chapter of his career.
