The Dutch GP would always be a bittersweet one for any Dutch racing driver, especially considering this was the last year a F1 and Feeder Series weekend would take place at Zandvoort for the near future. However for Esmee Kosterman, this weekend was indeed a special one as the Dutch driver was able to secure her first points of the F1 Academy season after qualifying in the top 10, finishing P4 in the Reverse Grid Race, followed with a P10 finish in the Feature Race.
“Positive” weekend leading up to F1 Academy Austin round
Kosterman has not had an easy start to her debut F1 Academy season after taking a Wild Card entry at the Dutch GP last season, where she finished P7 in the Feature Race. For the Dutch racer, this weekend for her was one to be proud of after reaching major milestones. She emphasized her gratitude for her team MP Motorsport for their hard work in helping her have such a memorable weekend.
“Overall, the whole weekend I’m happy, Finally points! It’s a positive, a really strong, positive line during the whole season. With hard work, we are going to be there. It’s really nice that MP Motorsport has given me this opportunity and we work really hard together to be there.”
The LEGO-backed driver is now looking to carry that same momentum into the next F1 Academy round in Austin.
“I’m really excited to go to Austin for the next round and do more than this week. I learnt so much from this week. Yesterday was a mega race. I couldn’t dream of being P4 from P10. Today from P10 to P10. It’s just strange driving here sometimes. If you have so much grip, it’s really difficult to overtake here.”
Kosterman emphasized the need for improvement on her starts
While Kosterman is pleased with the milestones, she pointed out more areas where she can improve leading up to the Austin round, including the need to improve on her starts.
”I know I need to work on my starts as well because that’s the really important thing here, to be prepared and be directly there on the start. I’m taking a lot of experience again. I get more used to the car every race and I also feel it. I’m building a strong connection now with the car and with the team.”
The Dutch racer feels she has made a lot of progress and is feeling more comfortable with the F1 Academy car compared to the beginning of the season. Leading up to Zandvoort, she was one of two drivers who hadn’t scored points up until round four.
“I am more confident in myself and I also trust the car more. The things that happened during this weekend, if they had happened in Shanghai I would have definitely lost the car and now I know how to react in those circumstances. I don’t want to say I’m getting used to this, because this is not normal life, but it’s just feeling comfortable and feeling the car more.”
Bittersweet and special final home Dutch GP to be proud of
After being given the opportunity to race in two rounds at her home turf in Zandvoort, the Dutch driver reflected on an emotional weekend, highlighting her love for the Zandvoort circuit.
“It’s really sad that this is the last one because I love this track, It’s an epic track, physical but also technical. I’m definitely going to miss it really, it’s really hard because my heart is breaking now that it’s over.”
The LEGO-backed driver expressed her sincerest gratitude for the passionate support from her home crowd following the conclusion of the feature race. She highlighted the large growth in the support she and female racing drivers.
“After the finish line, on the in-lap, it was really special for me. Yesterday it was really emotional seeing how many supporters we girls get on the grid. It’s massive. It’s big and last year compared to this year, it’s even bigger, so I really like it and that people are so supportive.”
“I’m so happy with the Dutch crowd and so thankful that they gave me such a boost this weekend.”
