Laurens van Hoepen credits Trident turnaround for strong F2 form

Laurens van Hoepen and Trident have mounted a strong recovery in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 championship following difficult individual campaigns the previous year. The Dutch driver linked up with the Italian outfit for the final three rounds of 2025 after enduring a challenging season in Formula 3 where he finished 12th in the standings. Although those late-season outings yielded no points, extensive development work during pre-season testing laid the foundation for an immediate upturn in form when the new year began.

Van Hoepen made an instant impact by finishing third in the Melbourne feature race and second in the Miami sprint, before securing pole position during Round 3 in Montreal. While mixed results followed heading into the summer break, he added another podium finish in the Budapest sprint to hold eighth place in the drivers' standings. Reflecting on his decision to join the squad, the 20-year-old noted that the team's collaborative approach and willingness to work together made them an attractive prospect despite their struggles the year prior.

The early podium success validated those pre-season expectations and provided a vital boost to the driver's own morale. Following a 2025 campaign that failed to meet his title aspirations and generated moments of self-doubt, van Hoepen admits that stringing together difficult results had taken a mental toll. Now, backed by a supportive environment and competitive equipment, he feels his confidence behind the wheel has fully recovered.

Looking toward the remainder of the season, van Hoepen has set his sights firmly on consistent performances at the sharp end of the grid. He acknowledges that the intense level of competition across the championship demands full focus if he wants to achieve his target of fighting for top-five finishes at every round.

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