by Alex Johnston
Time to welcome back another guest! This time, it's newly announced FIA F3 driver, Laurens van Hoepen! I first spoke to him last year after his FROC series win and since, he's competed in FRECA but has now made the step up to F3 with ART Grand Prix.
The 18 year old Dutchman impressed last year, finishing 10th overall, becoming a symbol of consistency, taking points finishes and retiring from a race just once, as well as taking two podiums at his home race weekend at Zandvoort.
📸 Tight across the line at Zandvoort!
He also made his F3 race debut in November, taking to the streets of Macau with ART, qualifying 22nd but making up places in both races with 14th and 10th place finishes.
📸 On the Macau streets.
Onto Laurens' interview!
1. Who's your racing hero or heroes? Senna is my racing hero.
📸 Is there anything more iconic than McLaren and Senna?
2. What's the first memory you have of racing? My first memory of racing was the first time I drove in a kart at just 3 years old.
3. What's the best car you've driven so far? So far the best car I’ve driven is the FIA Formula 3 car which I will be driving this season too.
📸 Laurens in the F3 car.
4. What's your proudest moment so far? In racing it’s probably winning the New Zealand Grand Prix.
📸 Celebrating his New Zealand Grand Prix win.
5. Your favourite over take you've ever done? I have done a lot of nice overtakes so it’s difficult to choose one 😂
6. Would you rather race on a street course or an oval? I would rather race on a street circuit.
7. If you could choose any teammate, past or present, who would you choose? Probably Lewis Hamilton because I think there is a lot I could learn from him.
📸 Much to learn from a seven time world champion.
8. No gym, no sim, no travel, no racing; how would you spend a whole day off? Probably playing tennis or golf, I love to play sports.
9. If you could drive any race car, past or present, what car would you choose? I would love to drive the Mercedes 2020 F1 car.
📸 Among the fastest ever F1 cars.
10. What’s the strangest thing to happen to you while you’ve been in the car?
I am not too sure, not many strange things happened to me luckily.
Thanks to Laurens for taking the time, we hope to speak with him again soon!
📸 Image credits: Laurens van Hoepen, Formula Regional Oceania, Formula Regional European, Mercedes AMG F1, Formula Motorsport Limited.
Comments