Van Amersfoort Racing conquers tricky weather with podium, rookie win and strong points in Portimão
Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) delivered a strong and encouraging weekend at Portimão during the second round of the Formula Winter Series, once again demonstrating competitive pace in changeable and challenging conditions. Intermittent rain added an extra layer of difficulty, testing both the drivers’ skill and the team’s strategy.
The weekend kicked off with an impressive performance in the first race from Thomas Bearman. Starting ninth on the grid, the British driver surged up the field with a series of bold opening-lap overtakes, reaching third place before an early safety car slowed the action. He eventually crossed the line in third but was promoted to second following a time penalty for the driver ahead, giving VAR an early podium finish.
Rocco Coronel once again proved he is a rookie not to be underestimated. He finished fourth and claimed second place on the rookie podium, which later became a rookie victory after the driver in front received a time penalty. Alex Ruta rounded out the points in sixth, giving the team a strong start despite the wet and slippery track conditions.
Across the remaining races of the weekend, Van Amersfoort Racing continued to deliver consistent performances, regularly finishing inside the top ten. In race two, all four drivers scored top-ten finishes, earning valuable points for the team. The race began behind the safety car due to the wet surface, causing several drivers to run wide or off-track. Despite the tricky conditions, the VAR drivers excelled: Rocco advanced from seventh to fourth, Thomas climbed from ninth to seventh, Alex from eleventh to sixth, and Pedro of the team from twelfth to eighth.
The final race saw conditions remain challenging, prompting another early safety car. Undeterred, VAR’s drivers pushed on. Alex Ruta led the team with an impressive top-five finish, gaining six positions. He was followed by Thomas Bearman and Rocco Coronel, who both again scored points, showcasing the team’s consistency and adaptability under pressure.
With a second-place finish in race one and multiple points-scoring results across the weekend, Van Amersfoort Racing can look back on a positive and competitive outing at Portimão. The team now heads to Valencia with momentum, ready to build on their strong performances in the Formula Winter Series.
About Van Amersfoort Racing
Van Amersfoort Racing is a professional racing team based in the Netherlands. It was founded by Frits van Amersfoort in 1975. Since then, Van Amersfoort Racing has built a long tradition of supporting up-and-coming drivers on their way to higher levels. Drivers like Max and Jos Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Mick Schumacher, Kevin Magnussen, and Liam Lawson all raced for Frits van Amersfoort's team in the early stages of their careers before making it into Formula 1.