Hiyu Yamakoshi steps up to Formula 2 with Van Amersfoort Racing for Baku
Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) has confirmed that Japanese racer Hiyu Yamakoshi will graduate to the FIA Formula 2 Championship for Round 12 of the 2026 season in Baku, Azerbaijan, replacing Nicolás Varrone.
The driver change follows a mutually agreed decision between Varrone and the Dutch outfit.
Yamakoshi Earns F2 Promotion After Strong F3 Campaign
The 19-year-old makes the step up to Formula 2 following an impressive rookie campaign in FIA Formula 3. Yamakoshi secured three podium finishes and accumulated 71 points on his way to ninth in the drivers' standings, finishing as the fifth-best rookie on the grid. Notably, he outperformed VAR teammates Bruno del Pino and Enzo Deligny throughout the year. Yamakoshi also crossed the finish line first in the Monaco sprint race before being disqualified for a technical infringement.
“I’m very happy to have this opportunity to make my Formula 2 debut with VAR,” Yamakoshi stated. “I’ve been with the team since F4, so stepping into F2 together makes this a very special moment. I’m looking forward to learning as much as possible throughout the weekend, working with the team and making the most of the experience.”
VAR Team Principal Brad Joyce expressed confidence in the young driver's progression: “We’re pleased to give Hiyu the opportunity to make his Formula 2 debut in Baku. He has made strong progress this season and has shown his pace in F3, with several strong results throughout his rookie campaign. Having worked with Hiyu for three years, we know his approach and his ability to learn. This will be a new challenge for him, and we’re looking forward to working with him throughout the weekend.”
His debut comes at a unique event, as Formula 2 expands its Baku weekend to feature two Qualifying sessions and two Feature Races.
Varrone Departs After Single-Seater Return
The Baku round marks the end of Varrone's stint in the seat. The 26-year-old Argentine scored points on three occasions in 2026, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Miami and a sixth-place result with fastest lap in Canada.
Varrone had not raced single-seaters since 2020 prior to this season, having built a successful sports car resume since 2021. He secured two class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—winning the LMGT3 class and the 2024 LMP2 Pro-Am class. He also contested the 2025 World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Porsche's Proton Competition Hypercar, scoring a point in São Paulo, and has served as a Corvette factory driver in the IMSA Sportscar Championship since 2024.
“We would like to thank Nico for his work with the team this season,” Joyce commented. “Coming from sports car racing, the move to Formula 2 was a significant change, and Nico adapted very well to the demands of single-seater racing. He took on that challenge and showed that he could adapt to Formula 2 in a very short period of time.”
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.