Yamakoshi aiming for positive trajectory with VAR in rookie F3 campaign

Hiyu Yamakoshi embarks on his rookie FIA Formula 3 campaign, something that he says is ‘one of his dreams’.

The Japanese driver stepped up with Van Amersfoort Racing, a team he knows well after racing with the Dutch outfit in each season of his single seater racing career since debuting in 2023.

Ahead of the season getting underway in Melbourne, he explained why he was happy to continue their partnership and what his hopes for the season were.

“This is my first time ever racing alongside Formula 1, which is one of my dreams. It's really exciting to join the F3 grid in Melbourne.

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“This is my third year with them, which I'm really happy about. To continue with them from 2024 - I had a great season in 2024 - and I know they had quite a nice season in F3 last year.

“I had two podiums and two P1 group qualifying in the Formula Regional Europe, so we know we are fast, they know I have speed. I trust myself and trust them, and we’ll keep pushing forward.”

Expanding on the importance of the familiarity with his Van Amersfoort team, Yamakoshi said that the cutting down on learning different working methods of a new team would help his rookie season in F3.

He added that knowing how each other work is a huge benefit to bring into a new Championship and that he could push earlier in the season as a result.

“When you’re with a team you know, you haven't got to learn how the team works, and they don't have to learn how you work.

“The team is the same, the people you work with are different people, but even so, the knows me and I know them. I think they trust me a lot, so that's the reason why I can push myself harder than if it was with a brand-new team.”

Van Amersfoort started off the year with a 1-2 finish courtesy of teammates Bruno del Pino and Enzo Deligny, and Yamakoshi is eager to bring more success to the team, missing out on a Feature Race point by one position in Melbourne.

With VAR sat at the top of the Teams’ Standings, albeit after a single round, the Japanese driver says there’s no reason why he can’t bring more positive results sooner rather than later based on his improvements so far in 2026.

“In the first test, I was like five seconds off from P1, but by the end, I managed to improve on myself and have nice progress. I finished in P12, which is the Sprint pole position. It's always good to be in the battle for pole position, even in the reverse grid.

“Of course, I can't predict everything. I’ll try to be really strong, but still, I'm a rookie. We are a good team, I know I'm fast, I have speed, so it’s about just making sure I put everything together and aim for the best result possible.”