Sophia Floersch: My Greatest Influences

Sophia Floersch is one of several F1-backed drivers on the Formula 3 grid in 2024 and she is the latest to talk more in depth about the people who have helped her get to this point in her career.
From the Alpine F1 Academy itself to all of the engineers she’s worked with along the way and of course, her parents, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver details how each have aided her rise through the ranks and her journey in Formula 3.
PARENTS
“My parents. It was more my dad who got me into racing. He did some karting and was having fun and I was with him at race tracks at some point and then he put me in a kart and that was it, that’s how my whole life happened.
“I started when I was four so when you’re that age, you’re not thinking about it as a job. You’re having fun, it was a hobby, and I was enjoying it, loved being at the tracks and then at some point you’re allowed to start doing races. So, once you start getting medals and trophies, it gets even more fun.
“It got properly serious when I switched to cars at 14 because then sponsors were needed and you start having fans, proper interviews and it was more serious overall. For me, it changed from a hobby to what I wanted to do for a job.
“My parents were always supporting me, same as they do nowadays, the same as when I was four. Obviously now, things are a lot more grown up and serious but it’s my life and they always try to support me where they can and be there for me.”
ALPINE ACADEMY
“The people at Alpine, Claire Mesnier and Julian Rouse. In general as a junior driver in the junior formulas, it’s one of the biggest or the biggest thing to get taken or signed by an F1 team. Thanks to Alpine, I was able to come back into formulas last year.
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“The things they’ve taught me have been incredibly helpful and thanks to them, I’m in Formula 3 right now and aiming for F2. The amount of support you get from engineers and trainers and so on, it makes you be a better driver on and off track.”
ENGINEERS
“All the engineers I’ve had in my career because they make you a better driver. Obviously, there are engineers you work really well with and not quite as well but they are also trainers and try to help you be your best each weekend.
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“That’s probably why they have a big influence. My engineer this year Marc, he’s really good. It’s the first year we’ve worked together so in the beginning it was about getting to know each other and getting an understanding of how each other work best.
“But now it’s there and we are making progress and enjoying working together so I’m happy there.”