John Bennett is set to embark on an exciting next chapter in his single-seater racing career this week as he makes his debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR).
Following a standout performance in post-season FIA Formula 3 Championship testing with VAR, the Dutch team have recruited Bennett to compete with them in the final two rounds of the FIA Formula 2 season in Qatar (29 November - 01 December) and Abu Dhabi (05-08 December).
This fantastic opportunity is a fitting conclusion to a hugely-impressive 2024 season for Bennett. The Salisbury-based racer mounted a title challenge in the GB3 Championship, scoring three race wins, 11 podium finishes and a Brands Hatch GP lap record en-route to vice-champion honours.
After impressing VAR with his speed and adaptability during the official FIA Formula 3 tests in Jerez and Barcelona last month, the team feel Bennett’s FIA Formula 2 debut provides him with a valuable opportunity to gain experience against a competitive field.
John Bennett: “Thank you so much to VAR for the trust they have put in me with this opportunity. Earlier this year, I was able to take part in the F3 tests with VAR, and they went very well.
“The team and I feel that I am ready to take the next step in F2 and I can’t wait for the new challenge. This will be a big step up for myself, but I will be looking to learn as much as possible from these two rounds and achieve solid results with the team.”
Brad Joyce – Team Principal, Van Amersfoort Racing: “We’re excited to give John the opportunity to make his Formula 2 debut in the final two rounds of the season. His journey in motorsport reflects the talent and determination we value at VAR.
“John has shown impressive skill and maturity, particularly during the post-season F3 tests, where he quickly adapted to the car and demonstrated strong pace. This ability to adapt quickly combined with John’s professionalism has shown the team he’s ready for the challenge.
“We believe this move will be an important step in his development, and we’re proud to provide him with the platform to challenge himself at this level.”
The FIA Formula 2 Championship visits the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar for the first time this weekend, racing on the support bill for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix. Bennett will tackle a Sprint Race on Saturday (16:20 GMT) and Feature Race on Sunday (12:20 GMT), both televised live in the UK on the Sky Sports F1 channel.
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