Laurens van Hoepen launched his 2026 FIA Formula 2 campaign in style, securing his maiden podium in the Melbourne F2 Feature Race. The result marked a significant milestone in his career and delivered Trident their first appearance on the rostrum since 2024.
The performance immediately signalled that both driver and team have taken a step forward, with Melbourne serving as a strong foundation for what they hope will be a competitive season. Importantly, the Dutch driver believes the result reflects the hard work completed over the winter and the momentum built during his limited outings with the team in 2025.
Early experience paying dividends for van Hoepen in 2026 F2 campaign
Van Hoepen pointed to his appearances with Trident last year as a key factor in his strong season opener. Those outings helped him familiarise himself with key elements of Formula 2 racing, reducing the learning curve heading into 2026.
“I think it was extremely useful,” he explained to Formula 2. “I learned so much in those couple of races. We did a lot of things like the pitstops, which at that point were a completely new thing for me, but then also the race itself, the starts are different.
“It’s just a lot of things that are different that are super useful to have experienced already before we actually really started in Melbourne.”
That early exposure allowed him to approach the opening round with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of the demands of the championship. As a result, he was able to deliver a composed and competitive performance when it mattered most.
Teamwork behind the progress
The result in Melbourne also highlighted the progress Trident have made behind the scenes. The team dedicated significant time over the winter to analysing data, refining processes, and improving performance across the board.
Van Hoepen praised both his own preparation and the collective effort within the team, noting how their combined work translated into immediate results.
“I think we did a really good job, the team and I. I think we did so many laps to really prepare for this year and it’s looking promising from what we found out and what we’ve done.
“It was really a good step in the right direction. There’s so much stuff that we tested during the actual pre-season test, because in the end that’s what it’s for. It’s not for doing the quickest time, but to learn as much as possible. And I think we made good use of that. So, I think we can continue to build on what we’ve learned.”
That focus on development rather than outright lap time has clearly paid off, with Tridententering the new season in a stronger position than in previous years.
Van Hoepen discusses preparation and mindset for success in 2026 F2 campaign
Van Hoepen’s strong start is also the result of a demanding winter programme, which included extensive simulator work, physical training, and close collaboration with his team. The Dutch driver ensured he was fully prepared to handle the demands of F2 machinery, while also refining his racecraft and race-day execution.
“I’ve done a lot of sim, of course, to prepare the season, but I’ve also been in the gym a lot and just training a lot just to make sure I’m ready for this bigger car and just that everything is ready to go for the season. We’ve done a lot of prep with TRIDENT as well, a lot of meetings and mainly sim.”
He also outlined his approach to performance, emphasising the importance of extracting the maximum from every race rather than chasing specific results.
“It’s difficult to put a number on it, but I would say when I jump out of the car, being happy with the job that I’ve done so that I really know, okay, this was the maximum that was in it. If that’s P8, on some days I have to finish P8. If that’s P1 on other days, I have to finish P1. That’s how it is and that’s the goal.”
A platform for the season ahead
With a podium already secured, van Hoepen has laid down a strong marker for the rest of the 2026 campaign. The combination of preparation, experience, and team progress has created a solid platform from which to build.
While he remains focused on consistency and maximising every opportunity, the Melbourne result has undoubtedly boosted confidence within the Trident camp. If they can continue on this trajectory, van Hoepen could emerge as a consistent front-runner and a serious contender throughout the season.
