Trident secures top 10 finish with Laurens Van Hoepen

The FIA Formula 2 Championship kicked off its eighth round of the season at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, where drivers contested the Sprint Race today. The hilly Ardennes track presented a qualifying session of mixed fortunes for the Trident Motorsport drivers.

In an exercise interrupted by several red flags, John Bennett managed to make his mark by setting the fifth-fastest time. Conversely, Laurens Van Hoepen struggled to make an impact on the Belgian circuit, finishing eighteenth.

Due to the reverse-grid rule for the top ten qualifiers, Bennett started the Sprint Race from sixth place. The 22-year-old Briton lost one position in the opening stages of the race. Following the restart on lap eight—triggered by an opponent going off track—Bennett maintained a competitive pace and consistently ran within the points-scoring positions. Just past the halfway mark, the English driver suffered a frightening spin; after spinning multiple times, the car came to a halt on the track, fortunately without hitting the barriers.

Forced to fight his way up from the back, Laurens Van Hoepen sought to capitalize on every opportunity to gain ground. The 20-year-old Dutchman climbed the order with a steady pace, ultimately securing a spot in the top ten.

Trident Motorsport’s technical staff will now use the data gathered during today’s race to prepare for the Feature Race, scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00 AM, where strategic choices will be crucial for gaining positions.

Giacomo Ricci: “Our cars proved competitive in today’s Sprint Race. John Bennett was involved in a scary spin—fortunately without serious consequences—while battling within the points-scoring positions. Laurens Van Hoepen staged a strong recovery and showed good race pace; we hope this will lay the foundation for another convincing performance tomorrow, when strategy could play a key role.”