Joyce hoping VAR can maximise Barcelona weekend after satisfying Qualifying top 10

Van Amersfoort Racing had all three cars inside the top 10 in Barcelona Qualifying, a feat Team Principal Bradley Joyce says was a well-earned result for the Dutch squad.

Led by Théophile Nael in fourth, teammates Santiago Ramos and Ivan Domingues followed in fifth and seventh positions respectively, a season-best result for the latter.

Speaking after Qualifying, Joyce said it was a hugely satisfying result for VAR, especially around a circuit the teams know so well and with margins so tight.

“It was the first time we’ve managed to get all three cars together in the top 10, so we’re really happy,” Joyce said. “Obviously, we tested here in the winter, so it does close the field up a bit, but we’re happy with all three drivers, they did a good job.

“It does make it more satisfying a bit because you have to get everything right to be able to do that. The drivers have to drive good laps, the balance has to be there, the tyre prep has to work, and the actual Qualifying run plan does as well.

“We were quite far down the pitlane which also made things difficult. So the strategy has to be right as well to get your tyres into the right window and in order to get a clean lap.”

All three drivers found improvements right at the end of the session, able to gain positions right when the track was at its best and the pressure at its highest.

The VAR Team Principal said that all three were able to demonstrate their pace when it counted most, adding to the satisfaction of a well-executed team performance.

“There is some track improvement as the session goes on so the times do get better. Then it’s up to the driver to do it on that final lap because otherwise you’re not going to be up there.

“We were really impressed and happy. We’ve not done as well in Qualifying as the car is capable of doing in a couple of events this year, so it’s good because to do well in this Championship, you need all three drivers to be performing at their maximum, which I think they did today.”

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Joyce says that to have a result such as this when the team was able to fire on all cylinders to get the job done is a big moment for their season.

While the drivers were pleased with their efforts, the wider VAR team from mechanics to engineers were equally jubilant on Saturday with all three cars in such a strong position.

“It’s a massive confidence boost for the team because there’s so much pressure and you don’t get that much running, just a couple of laps in Free Practice before the tyres aren’t at their best anymore.

“Santiago – he delivers and has been delivering well and Ivan is showing the kind of form we thought he could do. He’s steadily progressed weekend after weekend so my hope is that he carries on that trajectory and by the latter stages of the season, he’s challenging at the front.

“There are only 10 Qualifying sessions in the year, so it’s quite a compressed season and you need everyone to be performing as well as possible. So today is very satisfying for the team and I’m really pleased for the way the guys worked together, engineers, Team Manager and the three drivers.”

Perhaps more importantly, the result now puts all three in position to secure points in both the Sprint and Feature Races this weekend.

With VAR currently sixth in the Teams’ Standings and not too far away from ART Grand Prix and breaking into the top five, Joyce is eager for the drivers to maximise their opportunities on Saturday and Sunday, while aiming for as strong a result as possible.

“I think both. The drivers will push anyway because that’s in their nature, especially at their age, but when we’re starting so close to each other, it’s also crucial to look after each other and remember they are teammates. So we need to maximise the points for the entire team.

“It’s looking good and it’s a circuit that you want to be starting nearer the front than in the midfield or at the back, because it’s difficult to overtake around a circuit like this.”