Satisfied with the data: Van Amersfoort Racing Pre-Season Round-Up

Three days of pre-season testing are in the books and Van Amersfoort Racing were happy with their preparations for Round 1 in Melbourne and the 2025 season overall.

The Dutch squad achieved a total of 553 laps across the Barcelona event between their trio of drivers, despite the weather preventing a straightforward run plan for teams.

After stepping out of the car, rookie Théophile Nael was full of praise for his new team, explaining that the team worked hard throughout the event to tweak the new Formula 3 car into a place they’re happy with going into Round 1.

“It was pretty good,” the Frenchman said. “We made a lot of changes to the car, strong pace during the wet session and made a lot of changes with the team as well. We’re pretty happy and we’re ready for the season.

“I think we’ve developed the car well. Melbourne is going to be very different, different track, different Tarmac, different temperature, it’s going to be something new.

“We learned a lot during these three days and I’m really happy. I think physically the preparation we did with the team before coming here worked, so I’m confident. Everything was going well.”

Teammate Ivan Domingues was equally pleased with their efforts around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Portuguese racer was satisfied the team had also gained good insights with their run programme to take back to the workshop.

Expanding on the team’s hard work, Domingues added that while the test wasn’t smooth sailing from start to finish, it was a confidence-building three days and they’re in a good place going to Melbourne.

“It was exciting to be back at the wheel, especially with it being a new car,” he explained. “I think we tested some good stuff that will be helpful in Melbourne but throughout the whole year.

“We had some issues across the first two days which prevented us from doing as many laps as we’d planned. But still, we got good enough information and we’re feeling confident with the team, happy with how I drove, and I think it will be an exciting first race.”

READ MORE: F3 Explained: The cutting-edge technology powering the all-new 2025 car

Nael was the driver who completed the most laps for the team, reaching 200 in total for VAR. The Frenchman was full of enthusiasm after being able to sample the new car, which he says is a step forward from what he sampled in the post-season tests last year.

He explained that the aerodynamic changes have had a tangible effect on the cars, and that the bigger 16-inch Pirelli tyres will be interesting to monitor over the season.

“The new car felt crazy. I did some testing last year in the post-season test, so I didn’t have many experiences with the F3 car, but the new car is really fun to drive. There’s more downforce and the larger tyres, it’s very cool.

“It’s helpful for the deg and the Wet tyres, not something I thought about in the beginning. We can push a bit more with the tyres, so that’s good.”

Teammate Santiago Ramos is the only VAR driver with prior experience of the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne from his rookie campaign in F3 last year.

Domingues says he’s very much looking forward to racing in the southern hemisphere to kick off the new season, with the opportunity to race on a Formula 1 weekend an exciting prospect too.

“I’m looking forward to Melbourne a lot. It will be the first time racing in Australia, so I’m looking forward to that and racing on the F1 weekend. It will be a very different environment to what I’ve had before, so I’m very excited.”

After finishing seventh in the Teams’ Standings last season, the objective is clear for all three drivers and the team overall: move up the order.

Having taken the data from testing and having time to analyse their work before jetting off to Australia, VAR will be hopeful that 2025 can be a strong season filled with more points and podiums to build on the experience of last season.

With three happy drivers, the team looks well placed to go into the year on the front foot.