Frits van Amersfoort praises Max after his first F3 win
Published on 06 May 2014 by Stefan Meens
Moments after he experienced a champagne shower on the Hockenheim podium with his race winning driver Max Verstappen, Frits van Amersfoort talked to the Verstappen Info Page. An exclusive insight into the observations and emotions of the Van Amersfoort Racing team founder and boss.
Frits: “Last year was our first in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship which means we still had to figure things out and settle into the series. Above all, you need drivers. Initially that’s hard as we didn’t have any results to attract the drivers. However, we do know our way around an F3 car as we’ve been racing them for two decades, so it’s really a case of getting used to the higher level of competition. Effectively you need to re-establish your name and build up a reputation.”
Regardless, Van Amersfoort is delighted to be part of the prestigious series. “The FIA and FIA Single-Seater Commission chairman Gerhard Berger have put together a fantastic championship with a packed grid with plenty of young talent. To have twenty cars within a second of each other is a testimony to the series’ competitiveness.”
In 2014, Van Amerfoort Racing contests the European F3 championship with three drivers: American Gustavo Menezes and the Dutchies Jules Szymkowiak and Max Verstappen. After several weeks of single seater action in the Florida Winter Series at the beginning of the year, Verstappen junior has already showcased his talent several times during the first two Formula 3 rounds.
Nevertheless, Frits remains realistic: “2014 is all about learning for Max. There are some tough races ahead of him, such as next weekend in the streets of Pau. He still has to learn a thing or two, as we’ve seen when he was driving behind the safety car on Sunday. However, Max is a fast learner and I have a lot of confidence in him. After all, he is only sixteen and he deserves to take some time to adapt and learn.”
The Sunday did not start well for Max and the team. An electronics issue prevented Max from starting race 2, for which he had claimed pole position on Saturday. A bitter disappointment for the team. “After a morning like that, you’re reminded of how many things can go wrong. That’s something that I’ll never find peace in. Even if I make to a 100 years old in the pit lane, that’s just how I am, this is my life”, reveals Frits.
In the afternoon euphoria prevailed, as Max won the third race of the weekend leading from start to finish. Frits: “In that half an hour of racing I’ve aged considerably. Seconds felt like minutes. After the horrendous start to the day, we got in a trance like zone in an attempt to fix the issues and bounce back. For a moment it appeared we wouldn’t make it. In the end everything worked out well.”
Apart from the victory and vital championship points, there are plenty of positives the team will carry across to the next round of the series at Pau. Frits: “Max now has the experience of having done a good start and leading the race. I mean he doesn’t always need to make lightning starts but consistently solid ones are important.”
Frits concludes the interview with a bit of nostalgia: “Today we witnessed something special from this Dutch kid. He always remains calm and collective and I hope with all my heart he can drive his way to the very top. I won’t mention names be he reminds me of huge talent from the past, a Brazilian…”
