Sophia Floersch signs with VAR for 2024 FIA F3 campaign

Following a highly positive Macau Grand Prix, Sophia Floersch will be returning to Van Amersfoort Racing for the entire 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

Photo credits: Thomas Marzusch

Sophia Floersch will be returning to Van Amersfoort Racing for her third FIA Formula 3 campaign - and the first with the Dutch team since contesting the 2019 Formula Regional European Championship.

Floersch most recently raced under the banner of VAR at the Macau Grand Prix, where she was protagonist of a wisely positive weekend, just missing out on a top-ten in the final, and has raced for the team in the 2018 European F3 championship as well, her first in F3 machinery. She will team up with newly-announced Tommy Smith and Noel León.

"I am super excited to be back with Van Amersfoort Racing, it feels like coming home" - commented Floersch. "I have confidence in our ability to progress and deliver strong performances together in the upcoming FIA F3 season."

Sophia just completed her first season as part of the Alpine Academy, returning to single seater racing following a switch to endurance and sports cars in 2020 - that saw the young racer from Munich taking the start in three Le Mans 24 Hours. After re-adapting quickly to the Dallara F3 car, she was consistently the best PHM Racing driver throughout the season, pushing the German team forward in the outfit's rookie season in the championship.

Floersch made huge progress in the 2023 FIA F3 and would claim her first top 10 at the Austrian round at Red Bull Ring, before a technical infringement caused by a front wing damage cost her the first points. With speed and consistency, Sophia did become the first female racer to score points in FIA F3 since its latest rebranding, securing a stellar seventh place at Spa Francorchamps.

Despite a few technical hiccups, she consistently made the most of the circumstances and moved up the field: with 20 races under her belt in 2023, she never lost one position and gained 141 places in total - an extraordinary average of 7 positions per race.

Having also enjoyed very positive post-season tests with Van Amersfoort Racing, Sophia Floersch will be aiming to carry this momentum into 2024, with the support of the Dutch team.

"Obviously we are very pleased to have Sophia back with us", Team Principal Frits Van Amersfoort added. "We did Macau together this year, which has been great. We believe that her experience in FIA F3 plus her familiarity with the team can benefit us next season."

The 2024 FIA Formula 3 season is scheduled to get underway in Bahrain on March 1-2, before hosting its second ever weekend in Australia, Albert Park. The European season will start from Imola, before the crown jewel race at the Monaco street circuit. Double headers at Barcelona, Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Hungaroring and Spa Francorchamps will follow, as Autodromo Nazionale di Monza will host the season finale.

Photo by Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee