Norwegian Martinius Stenshorne joins Van Amersfoort Racing for his maiden European Formula 4 campaign.
Having participated in the 2022 UAE F4 championship, Stenshorne graduated from karting to single seater racing already earlier this year. He now returns to Europe in order to attack his second Formula 4 championship, this time together with Van Amersfoort Racing.
Martinius, who just turned sixteen last month, started off racing at a very young age. He received his first kart on his 4th birthday and immediately started developing his race craft on tracks around Norway. At the age of nine, Stenshorne collected his first national title, only to claim multiple respectable international titles and results in what was his second season of competitive karting.
The young Norwegian kept moving up the karting ranks during the years to follow, registering impressive results such as WSK Super Master Champion and Italian Champion in the Mini Category. Stenshorne was victorious in the OKJ South Garda Winter Cup and secured the runner-up position in the OKJ WSK Champions Cup, all whilst racing under the flag of the prestigious Rosberg Racing Academy.
His move to single seater racing came in the shape of the 2022 UAE F4 championship, where he was able to showcase himself by collecting nine top-ten finishes, of which five top-five classifications. His best result came during the second round of the championship, held at the Dubai Autodrome, where he finished in second position.
Now Stenshorne is ready to compete at the highest possible levels of F4 racing in Europe. Undoubtedly benefitting from his UAE F4 experience, the Norwegian further prepares himself for the upcoming season at VAR’s headquarters in the Netherlands.
“Martinius is an extremely eager young driver and has shown to be ready for the high level of competition that can be found in F4 racing on the European continent. It is clear that he is still young and needs to collect experience, but his determination matches that of what we have seen in other high-level drivers.” says Rob Niessink, CEO of Van Amersfoort Racing. “The UAE Championship was certainly a great start for Martinius and has helped him to familiarize himself with the new HALO car that we’ll be racing this season. As Martinius, we are extremely excited to start the season with him and are confident that he’ll do well!”
Tatuus will bring its second-generation Formula 4 car including the HALO to most of the European F4 championships. It will replace the current Tatuus chassis which has served as a strong base for many of today’s champions in higher categories.
Martinius is clearly very excited to get started: “Things are moving extremely fast for me right now. I just returned from the Middle East and already I am in full prep mode for the upcoming season. Less than a year ago I was still racing karts and now here I am, getting ready for the toughest F4 championship out there! It is a big challenge and for sure I have lots to learn but teaming up with Van Amersfoort Racing gives me great confidence. They obviously have proven to be the team to beat, and their level of experience is impressive. I have gotten to know the team already and I feel right at home. The complete crew is at least as determined and dedicated as I am, so we form a great match!”