Victory and Setback for Rosanne den Drijver in Sweden
Sunday 31 May 2026 Tags: News
KARLSKOGA: Rosanne den Drijver made a strong impression during her second race weekend in the Nordic4 Championship in Sweden, although she left with mixed feelings. At the Gelleråsen circuit in Karlskoga, the 17 year old Captain Cruise driver showed that she belongs among the fastest competitors in the Formula 4 field, with a third place in Race 1, victory in Race 2 and technical problems in the final race.
STRONG START AT AN UNFAMILIAR CIRCUIT
This was Rosanne’s first experience of the Swedish circuit, and preparation time was limited.
“Thanks to Biersteker, Rainbow Growers and ProTech Westland, I was able to complete a professional simulator session the week before. That was essential, because the on track programme consisted of just two 15 minute free practice sessions,” Rosanne explained.
That did not stop her from immediately challenging at the front. She recorded the second fastest time in both sessions. Her pace was also strong in qualifying, resulting in third place on the grid. An even faster lap was probably possible, but she was unable to find a completely clear lap at the crucial moment when her tyres were at their best.
IMPRESSIVE COMEBACK IN THE OPENING RACE
The first race got off to a difficult start. Although Rosanne started from third place, she ran into trouble when the car ahead of her was slow away from the grid. She lost several positions, but fought her way back through the field.
After an impressive recovery drive, she returned to second place and quickly closed a three second gap. In the closing stages, she challenged for the lead. After an unsuccessful first attempt, she later managed to pass her rival, although there was slight contact.
Rosanne crossed the finish line in first place and set the fastest lap, but received a time penalty after the race and was therefore classified third.
VICTORY THROUGH SMART STRATEGY
She responded convincingly in the second race. Due to the reversed grid, Rosanne started from fourth position, but a strong start quickly moved her into second place.
The leading group initially appeared to pull away, partly because of a difference in tyre pressures. As the track began to dry, Rosanne and her team, STEP Motorsport, opted for lower tyre pressures, which gave her an advantage later in the race.
She closed the gap to the leaders and completed two decisive overtaking moves to take first place. From there, she drove a composed race to secure her first Formula 4 victory.
POLE POSITION, BUT TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FINAL RACE
The third race also began promisingly, with Rosanne starting from pole position. Shortly after the start, however, the car became stuck in second gear.
A pit stop was necessary and ultimately cost her two laps. After returning to the track, she once again demonstrated her speed by matching the pace at the front and regularly setting the fastest lap.
The two lap deficit was impossible to recover, and she eventually finished in eighth place.
RESULTS DO NOT FULLY REFLECT HER PERFORMANCE
With a third place, a victory and an eighth place finish, Rosanne can look back on a weekend in which her potential was clear, although the final results did not fully reflect her performance.
As the podium ceremony was based solely on the result of the third race, she ultimately left without a trophy. Nevertheless, the driver from the Westland region once again confirmed that she belongs at the front of the field.
Her development in Formula 4 continues on an upward trajectory, while her focus remains firmly on the next step: securing a place in the F1 Academy.
Rosanne’s journey can be followed on Instagram at RoosRacing1 and at www.roosracing.com.
In the media:
https://westlanders.nu/sport/overwinning-en-tegenslag-voor-rosanne-den-drijver/