Last year, Yani Stevenheydens was the only Belgian driver to win races in a FIA-certified feeder series for his rookie F4 season. Seventh overall in French F4, he will be the highest returning driver this year. Carrying the hopes of a nation, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Stoffel Vandoorne, who won the series back in 2010. He talked to Feeder Series about his racing debut and objectives for 2024.

By Perceval Wolff

“Without the RACB (Royal Automobile Club of Belgium), it’s not possible for me to drive. Last year, they paid the whole season, and they have always given me a lot of support, for the physical and mental preparation, especially. It’s 100% thanks to them that I am where I am today,” Stevenheydens told Feeder Series.

Royal Automobile Club of Belgium’s new talent

At the end of 2022, the young Flemish driver won the RACB Road to F4 to get a free season in French F4 with the support of the RACB. Both the competition and the RACB have been very important for his career.

This competition has showcased drivers like Ulysse de Pauw and Stoffel Vandoorne, the latter of whom went on to win the French F4 Championship in 2010 (called F4 Eurocup 1.6 at that time) and then the GP2 and Formula E championships later in his career. 

“Stoffel is of course very busy, but I know that if I need help, he always finds some time for me, that’s really cool from him,” said Stevenheydens.

“We’re not a big country, but we still have some very strong drivers, especially in GT, less in single-seaters. We have to help each other.”

Asked about OK-Junior World Champion Dries Van Langendonck and European runner-up Thibaut Ramaekers, Stevenheydens also said he would love to help them when they join single-seaters.

“They are already in the RACB National Team with me. They will surely be jumping to single-seaters in one or two years, and if they need advice, I’m definitely there to help them.”

Improving qualifying to get the title

“In my opinion, 2023 was a good first season. I had some highs with my wins, my podiums, but I also got some lows, and that’s where I learnt the most,” he said. 

“I lacked a bit of experience compared to some others, but I was still quite satisfied with my progression and the speed at the end.”

One of Stevenheydens’ biggest achievements in his karting career was his runner-up title at the IAME World Final back in 2022, just behind Evan Giltaire, who was then crowned French F4 champion one year later. What is the biggest area of progression for the Flemish driver to enable him to fight for the title this year?

“Qualification,” he said. “It’s so, so important in single-seaters. In karting, it’s much easier to gain position during the races. I looked at all the data, I analyzed everything, I know what I need to do to improve that. I think I’m able to do it.”

Plans for the future

“The title is my only objective, and it’s also the objective of the RACB for me. After one year where I gained experience, we want the title and only the title this year. With the experience I have, I’m confident, I believe it’s possible,” said Stevenheydens

Does the budget situation and RACB high objectives for 2024 make it a “sink or swim” situation for the 17-year-old Belgian driver? 

“It’s a bit that! It’s the title or nothing. It’s one or the other.”

Asked about his future biggest rivals, Stevenheydens revealed the biggest threats he sees for his title hopes.

“Jules Caranta has had a very good preparation in F4 UAE during the winter, very quick. I think about Pacôme Weisenburger too, and I would clearly not rule out Louis Schlesser or Leonardo Megna, who have got some experience from last year. But I can be the fastest, I’m confident.”

Belgium has a strong history with endurance racing and GT, but the French F4 race winner only targets Formula 1 for the moment. 

“We have a lot of very strong GT drivers, but for me, Formula 1 is the ultimate dream, and also for the RACB. We all agree to say we aim for F1 and before that F3 and F2, of course.”

French F4 pre-season official testing takes place at the Circuit Bugatti from March 6th to 7th, before the season kicks off at Nogaro on March 31st.

Header photo credit: RACB National Team