Van Amersfoort Racing put in a solid pre-season testing performance at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ahead of the 2026 F3 season. Team Principal Bradley Joyce expressed satisfaction with how the test unfolded, although he tempered expectations, cautioning that it’s too early to draw conclusions for the upcoming season opener in Melbourne. With a focus on gathering data, refining the car, and testing the drivers, the team feels that they are on the right track for the year ahead.
Strong lap count and competitive times for Van Amersfoort Racing at 2026 F3 Barcelona testing
Van Amersfoort Racing completed an impressive 623 laps across the three days of testing, making it one of the busiest teams, second only to PREMA Racing. This extensive running allowed the team to test a range of setups, and although the results were promising, Joyce was careful not to overstate the significance of lap times at this stage.
“It was good,” said Joyce when asked about the test. “We’ve run through pretty much all the programme we were looking to do. We did some performance running and we also got some good race runs.”
One of the standout performances came from Japanese rookie Hiyu Yamakoshi, who led Van Amersfoort Racing’s efforts on Day 2. His quickest lap of 1:27.574 was a solid P8, just over half a second off the fastest time. Yamakoshi’s endurance was also remarkable. He completed the most laps of any driver during the test, with a total of 246. Enzo Deligny, another Van Amersfoort Racing rookie who joined the team just before the test, also made strides, completing 198 laps and settling in with the team’s setup. Both drivers showed their potential, and Joyce was encouraged by their progress.
Bruno del Pino’s return and lessons learned
Bruno del Pino, returning for his second season in F3, was also part of the Van Amersfoort Racing lineup. Though illness affected his performance throughout the test, Joyce remained positive about the experience. He acknowledged that while del Pino was not able to perform at his best, the veteran driver still offered valuable insight and guidance to the team’s younger drivers.
“They would have also learned a lot from Bruno del Pino, who is returning for his second season in Formula 3,” said Joyce. “Despite being affected by illness, he was still able to share his experience with the rookies.”
This camaraderie and mentorship are key elements for the team as they move forward. Joyce believes the presence of a seasoned driver like del Pino will help the rookies grow, both on and off the track, as they prepare for the demanding season ahead.
Van Amersfoort Racing confident but cautious ahead of 2026 F3 Melbourne opener after Barcelona testing
Despite the success at Barcelona, Joyce remained cautious about the significance of the lap times, especially as Melbourne presents a very different challenge. The conditions at the Spanish circuit are not typical of what the drivers will face later in the season, and Joyce was careful to keep expectations grounded.
“The obvious caveat is that the conditions here are not very much like what we’re going to see when we come back here or what we’ll mostly see through the season,” he explained. “But we got to know the drivers a bit better and see where they’re at after the winter break as well.”
Joyce added that the team’s focus is not solely on the lap times but on ensuring that the drivers and car are ready for the varying conditions of the race weekends. With a strong team dynamic, including the new addition of Deligny, Van Amersfoort Racing is optimistic about its chances. Joyce expressed confidence that the team’s chemistry is in a better place than at this point in 2025, building on their best-ever F3 season.
“We’ve obviously got a new addition to the team in Enzo. It’s nice to have him join the team. I think as the year goes on, they’ll all push each other and we can carry on developing the team and the car.”
A familiar challenge in Melbourne
As the team looks ahead to Round 1 in Melbourne, Joyce acknowledged the unique demands of the Australian circuit, which contrasts sharply with the technical challenge of Barcelona. While Barcelona is well-known and technical, Melbourne presents its own set of challenges, especially with its unpredictable weather and tight street layout. Joyce noted that getting the drivers to adapt to these varying conditions would be crucial.
“Melbourne obviously is a completely different scenario to here. All the drivers have done a million laps around this place. Melbourne, you need to be able to cope with the very changeable conditions that you can have,” Joyce said. “You also have Qualifying when all the cars are out on it at the same time. It’s a bit more of a difficult scenario to be able to get your lap in.”
Despite the challenges, Van Amersfoort Racing feels in a strong position heading into the first race of the season. The team’s cohesion and the continuity of the staff give them confidence that they can hit the ground running.
“I think we are as a team in a better position. We’ve all been working together for over a year now. Pretty much the team itself, obviously the drivers are different, but the actual team, the Van Amersfoort Racing F3 team is all the same people.”
With a solid test behind them and a strong base to build on, Van Amersfoort Racing will be hoping to build on their achievements from the 2025 season, where they finished fifth in the championship, setting a team record with 138 points. They also secured three victories and seven podiums, and Joyce believes they are now even better prepared for the 2026 season.
