OFFICIAL: Verschoor makes switch for MP Motorsport, already joins in Qatar
F1 News
Richard Verschoor will remain in Formula 2 in 2025. The Dutch driver could not resist MP Motorsport's offer and thus starts his fifth season in F2. For the 23-year-old driver, signing with the team feels like coming home. Moreover, he does not have to wait until the next season for his return, as he already gets to suit up as a MP Motorsport driver in Qatar and Abu Dhabi this season.
"I am very happy about it," Verschoor told GPblog when he could finally share that the deal with MP Motorsport was completed. A return to the old nest for Verschoor, who has previously worked with the team during five seasons: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. After spells at Charouz, Trident and Van Amersfoort, Verschoor is now back 'home'.
"It ended up being MP Motorsport, so I will continue in Formula 2 for another year. I have actually driven half my career at MP Motorsport. I was picked up by them from karting and then Formula 3 to Formula 2."
"I started to get my bearings. I obviously didn't have the year I would have liked in Formula 2. Without all those disqualifications it could have looked quite nice, but that's if, if, if. You notice anyway that not everyone follows F2, so other classes, also in America, they look more at results and not real achievements."
Why is Verschoor staying in Formula 2?
Verschoor is tenth in the drivers' standings in F2, but rightly points to things that went wrong through no fault of his own. For example, Verschoor lost his victories as he was disqualified in Saudi Arabia and Hungary after Trident committed a technical breach, and he also missed out on victory in Monaco due to a technical problem with his car.
"There were other deals I could have signed, but suddenly at least four top teams came knocking for another year in Formula 2. I got into talks with MP Motorsport. I didn't expect that so many teams still wanted to continue, because I myself was like 'I've been in F2 for several years, should I continue or not?"
"But when you do get that chance with some good deals, you do start looking at what else to do. I have so many partners now who are so happy with what we have done this year. Formula 2 is also a really nice sign. That's where the conclusions eventually came from to bang out another year."
Verschoor to join new team already in Qatar
Verschoor can get used to his 'new' team by the end of 2024. Indeed, Verschoor also revealed that he will drive the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi for MP Motorsport. There, he will replace Dennis Hauger. It is not yet known who will replace Verschoor at Trident.
"I can also already tell that I will drive the last two races (of 2024) at MP Motorsport. I am leaving Trident. The last few races with Trident we had some good races, but we had mechanical problems too often. Then, of course, it stops. I know there are some good engineers at MP Motorsport. I'm just looking forward to working with them. It feels a bit like coming home anyway."
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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