Florsch joins European F3 with Van Amersfoort
Sophia Florsch will make her European Formula 3 debut with Van Amersfoort Racing at Zandvoort next weekend.
The German driver was expected to make the step up earlier this year, having completed winter testing with the team, but postponed her debut to focus on exams.
With school out of the way for the year, Florsch has confirmed she’ll complete the rest of the F3 season with Van Amersfoort.
“After a period in which I had to give priority to passing my school exams, it feels great to know I will be back in the racing seat again to fully focus on my racing career,” she said.
“I am very grateful to my loyal sponsors and the effort put in by VAR and their engine partner HWA, and the further plans that will join our project, which we will announce soon.
“Stepping up from Formula 4 into the highly competitive FIA Formula 3 European Championship is an extreme challenge, but we all see it as a next step up the learning curve. I will give my utmost to reward all stakeholders and, with the experience and support of VAR, I am convinced that I will learn a lot. I have more than ever an exciting feeling about my future career.”
Florsch made her car racing debut in 2015, competing in the first half of the British Ginetta Junior Championship, where she claimed two overall victories and a total of four podium finishes, becoming the first rookie to take two victories from a weekend in the process.
In 2016, she returned to Germany to compete in the ADAC Formula 4 championship, first with Motorpark and then with Mucke Motorsport in 2017, taking two podiums late last season. She also competed in selected Italian F4 rounds.
“[Sophia’s] drive to climb the autosport ladder deserves lots of respect,” said Van Amersfoort boss Frits van Amersfoort. “During winter testing her performance behind the wheel convinced us of her qualities.
“We expect that, with enough mileage and time to learn, she can be competitive in Formula 3.
“Of course, it is not ideal to enter the series now the season is already underway, but we will use all our experience and dedication to help Sophia get familiar with Formula 3 as soon as possible.”
Floresch joins Artem Petrov and Keyvan Andres, who have put Van Amersfoort fifth in the teams’ championship after the first three rounds of the season.