Interview
Hiyu Yamakoshi on ‘dream’ signing with Van Amersfoort Racing
Japanese driver Hiyu Yamakoshi will step up to FIA Formula 3 next season with Van Amersfoort Racing, a move he described as ‘a dream’.
He has raced with the Dutch squad at every stage of his single-seater career so far, dating back to his debut in 2023 in UAE Formula 4.
Ahead of this next step in his career, Yamakoshi said he was pleased to be making such a crucial step in his racing journey with a familiar team.
“Really happy to be stepping up to F3 next year with Van Amersfoort Racing. It will be my third year working with them, which I think will be really helpful for next season, it’s a team I’m really happy working with.
“It’ll be my first time racing in a Championship on a Formula 1 race weekend. It’s very exciting and new for me, and it’s something I’ve dreamt about for a long time. So I’m super excited and super happy.”
Yamakoshi explained that the post-season tests were hugely important for his adaptation to the Championship, as he and his fellow rookies got to sample the F3 car for the first time.
Afterwards, he reflected on the weeks in Jerez, Barcelona and Imola, and picked out the biggest factor he will be targeting ahead of next season.
“The first test in Jerez – I was really surprised by how much grip the tyre had. Also, how much power the cars have. I opened DRS and you feel the car gaining that extra speed, which was really surprising. I don’t know how it’ll work out in the races, but even in the tests, it felt really powerful.
“It was very important though to learn for next year. The tyre warmup in particular, everyone is saying how important the tyre warmup is in F3.
“Making sure the tyres are up to temperature is how you make it grip, and in Qualifying it’ll be very important to understand.”
While drivers won’t be on track in F3 machinery again in 2025, their winter preparations continue and for Yamakoshi, that means a trip back home and a chance to reset after another season of hard work.
After returning to Japan for some time off, he says he will be focusing his attentions on being as ready as possible for the next step in his career, and begin working closely with VAR for their 2026 campaign in F3.
“I won’t be doing any racing over the winter, I’ll be heading back to Japan in December to see my family and friends. I’ll just reset, take some time away from racing and then it’ll be full focus for February, meeting back up with the team and then heading off to pre-season testing.”