The Williams team is impressed by the performances of Formula 2 driver Laurens van Hoepen. The Dutchman got the chance to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time ahead of the race weekend in Canada. Team principal James Vowles also saw Van Hoepen’s driving skills – who took his first pole position in Canada – and definitely sees opportunities for the driver to be included in Williams’ development program.
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Before Laurens van Hoepen traveled to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the next round of the Formula 2 championship, the young Dutch driver got the chance from Williams to drive his first laps in a Formula 1 car. This happened during a ‘Testing of Previous Cars’ (TPC) session at the Hungaroring, where drivers are allowed to drive F1 cars that are at least two years old. “The first time behind the wheel of an F1 car – a day I will never forget,” Van Hoepen wrote afterwards on his Instagram channel.
Development Program
Williams team principal James Vowles also closely monitored the Dutchman’s test and has good news. The Brit was asked in Canada whether Van Hoepen also has a chance – based on his achievements in Formula 2 – to be included in the British team’s development program. “That is definitely possible,” Vowles replied. “The great thing about working directly with him is that you immediately know where he stands in that car.”
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The team principal does emphasize that there is still ‘work to be done’ for Van Hoepen before it really happens. “But there is a reason why we are talking to him,” Vowles adds. “We are in a good position with our development program; you see that we have top talent from top to bottom. So it is definitely possible. Let’s see how he performs for the rest of the weekend, but today he did a great job. Really great work.” The Williams team principal is referring to the pole position the Dutchman secured for the Formula 2 feature race in Canada.
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Read everything about the Canadian GP here
