Van Amersfoort's Euro F3's triple threat
Published on 24 April 2014 by Stefan Meens
As Max Verstappen made his European Formula 3 début earlier this month at Silverstone, the Verstappen Info Page decided to acquaint itself with the whole Van Amersfoort Racing driver line-up. Alongside Max, the team enters Jules Szymkowiak and Gustavo Menezes.
The 19-year-old American Menezes grew up in California and started karting age five. He won several national titles and proceeded to make his motorsport début in 2010. After contesting in several junior categories, Menezes joined Van Amersfoort Racing to make his début in the ATS Formel 3 Cup in 2013. He finished fourth in the series with two race wins.
Szymkowiak is a Dutchman, who was born eighteen years ago in the south of the Netherlands. At age twelve he participated in national karting events such as the Rotax Max, the Benelux Karting Series as well as contesting in several WSK races. The youngster made his single-seater début in 2012 in the Formula BMW Talent Cup Shootout in which he became joint-champion. Last year he finished sixth overall in the feature series of the BMW Talent Cup.
The third VAR-driver hardly needs an introduction. After contesting his first kart race at age seven, Verstappen junior went on to become a successful karting star adding numerous (in)ternational titles to his resumé. Last year turned out to be a truly phenomenal year. In his last season in karts, Max clinched both the manual and automatic transmission European karting titles on top of the world title in the manual category.
After several successful Formula Renault 2.0 tests followed by his single-seater race début during the Florida Winter Series, Max Verstappen is now contesting a full season in the FIA F3 European Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing.
First, we asked the three youngsters about their new F3-racer.
Gustavo: “The German F3 championship was a great preparation. Of course, this year the speed and competitiveness are higher but I would say the biggest difference compared to last year are the tyres. However, it's a good step for me to enter European F3."
Jules: “Every step in my career has gone well so we opted for a big jump by entering the European F3 championship. Before this, my only single-seater experience came in a Formula BMW and compared to the F3 cars, it's a tractor. It's incredible how much speed we have in the corners due to the downforce.”
Max: “I've done several tests in a Formula Renault 2.0 but this is something else. You can carry so much more speed through the corners and as a driver you can make a real difference.”
All three drivers made their début in European F3 with Van Amersfoort Racing. What do they think of their team?
Gustavo: “Last year in the German F3 championship our collaboration was great and it's good to continue this joint venture. Not many drivers have this great opportunity to drive for the same team two years in a row. It means I know the way the team operates and I'm friends with the mechanics and engineers. In addition, the European F3 championship is fiercely competitive, so the less changes the easier it is to adapt to the series' level.”
Jules: “I feel terrific at this Dutch team. Everyone gets on really well and it feels like being among family so I feel right at home. Also, it's an advantage to make by F3 début in a Dutch team as I can speak Dutch to the mechanics and engineers. The team has got plenty of experience so I'm full of confidence.”
Max: “I totally agree, the collaboration with Van Amersfoort Racing is superb. I think it's a perfect match and it is indeed nice make my Euro F3 début in a Dutch team. In addition, I really work well together with my engineer so cannot complain about anything.”
Each of the drivers have their own racing background and various levels of experience. How do these shape their expectations and goals for 2014?
Gustavo: “My goal is to start in the top ten. After that I want to progress to the front of the grid to hopefully fight for victories and ultimately the title. From the fourth round we should be able to consistently finish in the top six.”
Jules: “Together with my mentor Adrian Sutil, I've set myself a target. He wants to be in the top eight with Sauber in Formula 1 and I want a similar result in F3. I know it sounds ambitious but and it will be difficult and require an incredible amount of work. However it's possible and you need to have a goal like that.”
Max: “I'm just going to give it my all and try to end up as high as possible. But for me it's clear; I want to perform consistently and with as little mistakes as possible.”
In motor racing an important goal is to beat you team mate. How does this challenge affect the relationship between the three?
Gustavo: “The atmosphere within the team is good. It's a bit funny with two Dutchmen and an American but we have a lot of fun. However we do know when to be serious and I think we can learn a lot from each other.”
Jules: “I concur, it's like hanging around with friends and there is now battle who his the quickest. If Max is quick, Im happy for him and I guess it will be the same the other way around. The same goes for Gustavo and off the track we get along well.”
Max: “We work well together when analysing the data and videos as well as having a bit of fun in the paddock.”
So the men get on well together, but how do they rate each other?
Gustavo: “Despite Max being younger than me, I've known him from karting and I have to say he is a very strong driver. Jules still has a lot to learn but he's got potential. I also think we can help each other throughout the year as the Euro F3 championship is very competitive.”
Jules: “I've know Max from karting as well but not as close as I do now. Not only is he really friendly and a talented guy, he is ridiculously fast with plenty of vigour and energy.”
Max: “Both Gustavo and Jules are genuanly nice guys and we help each other along. And I've known them both from the karting days.”
The interview would not be complete without asking the youngsters who is going to be the VAR-driver with the most points at the end of season.
Gustavo: “That's always a difficult one to call. I’m the driver with the most experience so hopefully I can bag plenty of points. However, there is always the mechanical nature of the sport and anything can happen. So honestly, I don’t know."
Jules: “Indeed a difficult question. Max was very strong in pre-season testing and really showed how fast he is. So I think I have to choose Max even though I want to be the best. I'll definitely will be close to him.”
Max: I hope it's me, cause that's what were here to do!”, concludes Max full of healthy ambition.
