After a strong season with MP Motorsport, Richard Verschoor concludes his Formula 2 career and turns to his McLaren future.
2025 was Verschoor’s fifth consecutive Formula 2 campaign. He debuted in 2021 with MP Motorsport, then raced for Trident and Van Amersfoort before returning to MP Motorsport for 2025.
Unlike previous seasons, 2025 proved to be special as he claimed four race wins, six podiums, and even led the drivers’ standings halfway through the year. However, after a close battle, the Dutchman ultimately missed out on the title, settling for third place with 170 points.
Parting ways with MP Motorsport
Speaking after the 2025 F2 Yas Marina season finale, Verschoor highlighted, “Even though I did not win the championship, Leo did a good job to get that sorted, it’s very nice for me to end the season with MP.”
“I have a long history together with them, so it’s going to be sad to say goodbye, not only to MP, but also the teams I have worked with, and all the people I know here in the paddock. But I always say you meet everyone twice, so let’s see in the future who I will meet again.”
Verschoor first drove for MP Motorsport in Formula 3 before continuing with them in his 2021 F2 debut season. The duo parted ways for a few years before reconnecting for the 2025 F2 season.
“You also never know maybe in the background, I can still be involved in some way with MP. I don’t know yet if that is the case, but I wouldn’t mind, maybe in the future. It’s a really nice team, they have made amazing progress from when I was here at the start.”
“They are so professional and at the moment, they can be considered one of the top teams. The Netherlands can be proud of the way they represent the country,” he said as MP Motorsport claimed P5 in the teams’ standings.
“Very happy and thankful for the all the opportunities, because it’s not only this year, it’s many opportunities that they have given me, and I am thankful for that.”
Papaya future
Following the 2025 F2 Lusail round, McLaren announced that Verschoor would join their Driver Development Programme alongside Leonardo Fornaroli. Joining McLaren fulfilled Verschoor’s dream after years of hard work in Formula 2.
“I think to be honest, I hope people see that if you really want something and you go all in, it’s possible,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that it happens straight away.”
“But if you really hold on to something that you believe can happen and for me it was always to be part of a big team, a big manufacturer, a big family, it was always my dream.”
The Dutch driver made this dream possible in Jeddah when he went up to McLaren CEO Zak Brown and expressed his ambition to join the team.
“Once I saw Zak I decided to walk up to him,” he revealed. “I went without anyone telling me to do so, without any idea of what it could bring, and look what it brought. Now we are only getting started, but it’s a nice step and I am very proud to be part of McLaren.”
“I said it to my mates two or three years ago if I could choose one F1 team it would be McLaren. So it’s very nice that it all came together like this. After getting an opportunity with MP, starting a fifth season, which many people didn’t like, to end it this way is very nice.”
Verschoor’s mindset
Closing out his F2 career, Verschoor became a driver with the most starts in F2 history, 129, and tied for the most wins in the Championship on eight. Along the way, he impressed by using alternative strategies to his advantage.
When asked about these achievements, he said, “I think it’s about what Leo showed. He still won races, but you don’t have to win every race to become the Champion. I think it’s quite obvious, and many people know that.”
“But maybe a better way of describing it is even when things don’t seem to be going your way, in Qualifying or the race, in F2 everything can change quickly, so keep working hard, don’t doubt yourself and use the moments that you are quick well,” he concluded.
