Richard Verschoor delivered a masterclass performance at the Austrian GP, securing his third victory of the season and claiming the F2 championship lead in dramatic fashion. The MP Motorsport driver’s dominant display at the Red Bull Ring showcased the experience and consistency that has made him a championship contender.
Great execution from start to finish
Starting from third on the grid behind pole-sitter Leonardo Fornaroli and Victor Martins, Verschoor seized his opportunity at the race start. The Dutchman executed a brilliant opening sequence, lunging down the inside of Martins and going side-by-side with Fornaroli into Turn 3. This aggressive but calculated move set the tone for what would become a commanding performance.
When asked whether his race went to plan, Verschoor reflected, saying,“Yeah, I guess so. Very good start and from there on I think on both compounds we had a very good pace.”
“Alex definitely didn’t make my life easy today, even though the gap maybe seemed big, as if two seconds, but we both were going flat out and any mistake would give him any motivation to even push more.”
The early stages of the race saw Verschoor positioning himself perfectly as the field began to settle into their rhythm. When the traditional option-prime strategy runners headed to the pits around lap seven, including Martins, Pepe MartĂ, and Jak Crawford, Verschoor found himself temporarily running behind Martins after the undercut worked in the Frenchman’s favour.
Battles and overtakes
However, Verschoor’s experience and race craft soon came to the fore. After initially losing the lead to Martins through the pit stop sequence, the MP Motorsport driver quickly regained his composure and began hunting down his rival.
When asked by Pit Debrief about the challenge of following closely after running in clean air, Verschoor explained, “Yeah, I was a bit surprised, to be honest, that Victor was ahead. And then I thought straight away that I had an opportunity to undercut Leo, which in the end, we did just. But yeah, apparently the undercut was very strong. And then following Victor was… The first two laps, I was catching him very quickly.”
The crucial moment came when Verschoor made his move on Martins, reclaiming the lead in what would prove to be the decisive overtake of the race. “The next lap, I pushed a bit to overtake him, and we made it work,” he noted, highlighting the precision required in modern F2 racing.
Championship implications and consistency
The F2 Austrian GP victory marks a significant turning point in the championship battle, with Verschoor now holding the points lead after what has been an intensely competitive season. The result also represents the culmination of improved consistency that has been the hallmark of his 2024 campaign.
“Yeah, exactly. I guess that’s what I’ve been lacking the last few years. Being there sometimes, but not always,” Verschoor admitted when discussing his championship aspirations. “And so far, you know, I think we’ve been very consistent apart from Imola. So yeah, very happy with the work of the team.”
The synergy between Verschoor and MP Motorsport has clearly been a key factor in their success this season. The experienced driver praised the team’s knowledge and their growing trust in his feedback and driving style.
“I can just feel and see how much knowledge there is inside the team. And that just works very well together with my experience. Every weekend we are going to, I know that I have a good car and that gives me confidence. And the team are starting to trust me more and more on my feedback, on my driving.”
Managing the Championship battle
With Alex Dunne finishing second and maintaining close proximity in the championship standings, Verschoor acknowledged the intensity of their ongoing battle. The respect between the two drivers was evident, though Verschoor maintained his competitive edge with characteristic humour.
“Well, enjoying, enjoying is a big word, but of course, after a race it’s enjoyable. But every time when I’m there, Alex is there. So I need to make sure that I do the same. When he’s there, I need to be there,” he explained about their championship fight.
When asked to praise his championship rival, Verschoor showed both respect and competitive spirit. “Yeah, but I still need to fight him in the championship, so I cannot be too nice. Nothing, he’s terrible,” he joked.
Before adding more seriously, “Just to keep it a bit short, I think what Alex is doing at this age, we have to say as well, very young, doing very well, getting up to speed very quickly already from Melbourne.”
Nothing but respect between our championship contenders 🤝#F2 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/pXsyCZyQZY
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) June 29, 2025
Looking towards Silverstone
As the season progresses, Verschoor’s combination of experience, improved consistency, and strong machinery positions him as a serious championship contender. His ability to manage races under pressure, as demonstrated in Austria where he controlled the pace whilst managing tyre degradation, suggests he has learned from previous campaigns.
“I tried to hang on, even though the rears were degrading quite a bit for me. So yeah, it was a good race, really happy,” he said, highlighting the technical aspects of his victory.
The F2 Austrian GP triumph represents more than just another win for Verschoor—it demonstrates the maturity and race craft that could prove decisive in what promises to be a thrilling championship conclusion. With the championship lead now in his hands, the pressure shifts to maintaining this level of performance whilst others seek to challenge his position.
“From now on, I guess it’s more fine-tuning, making sure we don’t make mistakes and do more races like we did today,” Verschoor concluded, outlining his approach for the remainder of the season.
As F2 heads into the next phase of the championship, all eyes will be on whether Verschoor can maintain this momentum and convert his current form into championship glory—something that has proven elusive in previous campaigns but now appears within his grasp.
