As MP Motorsport looks to build on their impressive 2024 Formula 2 season, young talent Oliver Goethe stands ready to make his mark in what will be his first full campaign in the championship. The team, which finished third in the Teams’ Championship with 220.5 points last year, has assembled a line up that combines experience and potential with Goethe partnering the veteran Richard Verschoor for 2025.
A history of success
Goethe’s relationship with MP Motorsport dates back to 2020 when he competed in Spanish F4 with the Dutch outfit. This partnership continued into the Formula Regional European Championship in 2021, establishing a foundation of mutual understanding that would prove valuable in the years to come.
When asked by Pit Debrief about what makes MP Motorsport such a good fit for him, Goethe was enthusiastic. “Yeah, so I’ve been with MP for a few years around my career in Formula 4 and in FRECA, I was with them. So I know the team boss and some of the other guys there really well,” he said.
“In general, I really love the atmosphere with MP. It’s hard to say driving style, which one’s the best for me or whatever, but I have to base it on atmosphere, which I really like. During the last four rounds, getting the opportunity to step in for Franco, I feel like we’ve done a good job. I feel like I’ve learned a lot for this coming year, and I have confidence in the team that we can do a great result.”
The German-Danish driver’s career trajectory has been impressive. After claiming the 2022 Euroformula Open Championship title, Goethe made the step up to Formula 3, where he developed into a title contender by his second full season in 2024.
Mid-season promotion
Goethe’s Formula 2 journey began earlier than expected when he was called up to replace Franco Colapinto, who earned a mid-season promotion to Formula 1. Taking over at MP Motorsport for the final four rounds of the 2024 season, Goethe used this opportunity to acclimatise to the demands of F2 machinery.
After a brief adjustment period, Goethe demonstrated his potential with a standout performance at the Lusail Feature Race, where he narrowly missed a podium by finishing fourth in a tight battle with Isack Hadjar. He followed this with more points in the season finale at Yas Marina, capping off an encouraging introduction to Formula 2.
The young driver’s talents were further showcased at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, where he secured an impressive second-place finish in challenging wet conditions, representing both MP Motorsport and the Red Bull Junior Team.
Learning curve
The step up to Formula 2 presented Goethe with several challenges, as he candidly explained to select media, when asked what he had learned during his initial F2 weekends. “Yeah, I’ve learned a lot. I have to say, it’s a difficult car to drive. There are more factors you have to take into account with Formula 2,” he explained.
“I feel like tyre management is a big thing with also the pit stop strategy, with the brakes, with extra power and the turbo. There’s a lot of things that are different and that are tricky at first, but just with mileage, I feel like you get more and more used to it. And yeah, I feel like I’ve made steps. I’ve also learned Baku, which is important for when we come there next year. So I think these four rounds have definitely helped me be more prepared for this year.”
Red Bull Jr. Team development
As part of the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team, Goethe has access to additional resources to accelerate his development. When questioned about his experience with the Red Bull Academy and responding to Dr. Helmut Marko’s remarks about needing a less easygoing mentality, Goethe was direct, saying, “It’s been positive so far with the Academy. I go for preparation. They help me a lot with simulator training before the races.”
“They have Rocky, who’s a very experienced engineer and I learn a lot from. Yeah, all I can say is recently I’ve been working my butt off with training and with sim and all sorts. So I feel like I’m very ready for this year. And that’s all I can say, really. I’ve been training hard now. Hopefully, the results can show that.”
Having an experienced teammate in Richard Verschoor has proven invaluable for Goethe’s development. When asked what he has been able to learn from Verschoor’s experience, Goethe explained, “It definitely helps Richard as a teammate. He’s very experienced. He’s quick as well. So I’ve got good data from him. He’s very knowledgeable with the car.”
“In the debriefs, chatting with the engineer, he knows what he’s talking about for sure. And yeah, so far as his teammates, I’ve learned things. In Abu Dhabi, he had a very strong race and mine was not as strong. So I learned how to drive the car better for saving the tyres, for example. But in general, his experience helps me and helps the team as well as himself.”
Championship aspirations
The post-season test proved invaluable for Goethe, allowing him to work closely with the team to address areas for improvement. With characteristic self-awareness, he has acknowledged that he still has ground to make up compared to his more experienced teammate Verschoor, particularly in long-run pace.
However, Goethe believes his four-round head start in Formula 2 from last season gives him a significant advantage heading into 2025. The combination of his track experience, Verschoor’s mentorship, and MP Motorsport’s technical expertise provides a solid platform for success.
The team’s decision to maintain continuity with their driver line up of Verschoor and Goethe speaks volumes about their strategy for 2025. Both drivers enter the season comfortable with the team and the car, potentially giving them an edge as the championship kicks off in Melbourne.
If MP Motorsport’s impressive 2024 form—demonstrated across four different drivers—continues into 2025, the Dutch team could well be celebrating championship success with their familiar line up of Verschoor and Goethe leading the charge.
