Dutch F2 talent Van Hoepen reflects on strong F2 season amid growing Formula 1 interest

Van Hoepen has made a strong start to his second season in Formula 2, firmly establishing himself as one of the standout performers on the grid. His standout moment came in Canada, where he secured his first-ever pole position in the category. Although his Feature Race ended in disappointment with a retirement after just three laps, the weekend confirmed that the Trident driver has the speed to consistently fight at the front.

In Monaco, the Dutchman left empty-handed after a difficult qualifying session, but he responded in style in Barcelona. Starting from 14th on the grid, Van Hoepen produced a strong recovery drive in the Feature Race to climb up to fifth place.

His results have not gone unnoticed. Van Hoepen notes that attention from both the media and Formula 1 teams has increased significantly. "Yes, definitely. In the end, it’s all about results. Because of that, you just notice you get a lot more attention," says Van Hoepen. "You’re taken much more seriously as a candidate for a seat and you also get much more media attention. That’s certainly something that’s nice and ultimately helps."

A key milestone followed when he completed his first laps in a Formula 1 car. Williams invited Van Hoepen to a TPC test at the Hungaroring, where he was introduced to a modern F1 car for the first time. It proved to be a special moment for the Dutchman.

"That was really cool. I mean, driving a Formula 1 car for the first time is of course something you dream about since you’re little," he says. "To do that for the first time is just really, really cool. That day when I arrived there, my name was on the car and you drive off for the first time – that’s something I’ll never forget. It also just went well, so that was really nice."

Team principal James Vowles confirmed in response to a question from GPblog that Van Hoepen is being considered as a candidate for the Williams Driver Academy. He pointed out that the test gave Williams a better picture of the Dutchman’s level in a Formula 1 car, while also emphasising that he first wants to see more of his performances in F2.

Although there is already plenty of talk about possible next steps in his career and ultimately a potential move towards F1, Van Hoepen’s focus remains entirely on his Formula 2 season for now. At the same time, he acknowledges that a place in a Formula 1 team’s junior program could be an important step towards the pinnacle of motorsport.

"Especially with the advantages that come with it, that would certainly be something that’s good for your career. Also with the step up to Formula 1, to learn a lot from F1 teams. They have so much knowledge and experience and also many more resources that allow you to grow even further," he says. "So that’s definitely something we’re also working on."

A logical next step could be a first appearance during an official Formula 1 practice session. While Van Hoepen has already tested for Williams and is being considered as a candidate for the team's Driver Academy, a potential FP1 outing would not necessarily have to come with Williams. "It would of course be really cool to do an FP1 somewhere at the end of the year," says the Trident driver.

When asked whether he thinks it’s achievable, he remains realistic: "I think it kind of depends on how I do for the rest of the year. It’s still early in the season. There’s still a lot to happen, but it depends. If I keep doing well, then perhaps yes."

Van Hoepen occasionally speaks with Verstappen when they cross paths in the paddock. The four-time world champion is well known for keeping a close eye on emerging talent and offering advice where he can. That extends beyond Formula 1 drivers such as Gabriel Bortoleto and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and also includes sim racers and promising talents across other categories.

"Max is of course also super busy with his own things during race weekends,” Van Hoepen says about his contact with the Red Bull Racing driver. “What you do notice is that Max is super passionate about racing and that he really follows everything. I know, for example, that he was watching my race and even started swearing when I made that mistake," the Dutchman laughs, referring to his crash from P1 in Canada.

"So that’s fun to see,” he continues. “But Max obviously has his own career, so it’s not like Max and I talk every week. When we see each other, of course we chat for a bit. But he follows everything and that’s just really cool. He knows exactly who’s driving where and what happened last week in every category. Also F3, but also GT and those kinds of things. So that’s really cool about Max."

Van Hoepen faces a demanding run of races ahead, with four race weekends packed into just five weeks. He will first look to secure a strong result in Austria before heading into a busy stretch that includes Great Britain, Belgium, and Hungary, all before Formula 2, like Formula 1, heads into the summer break.