La Gazette Belge – Yani Stevenheydens is gaining momentum

Created in 2008, the RACB National Team (the branch of the federation which manages Belgian motorsport) regularly launches young drivers onto the international scene. To date, Stoffel Vandoorne and Thierry Neuville are the most spectacular examples of this success. But pilots of the quality of Bertrand Baguette, Maxime Martin, Guillaume de Mévius, Sam Dejonghe, Gino Büx, Gilles Magnus or Ulysse De Pau – this list is not exhaustive –  also passed through this launch pad.

This year, Yani Stevenheydens is part of the training of which Marc Duez and Bas Leinders are the advisors. This young man, who celebrated his 17th birthday on February 22, is the winner of the 'Road to F4' program which allowed him to be detected among several hundred teenage kart drivers.

“Basically, my parents were not interested in motor sports at all, says our interlocutor from Westrode. Both have competed in quite a few swimming competitions. For my 8th birthday, they offered me a session of karting indoor. The click. Since that day, I have continued to be involved in this discipline. » It is logically in the French F4 championship that the Belgian makes his mark.

“I entered directly into another world, smiles the one who continues his studies in Sciences and Maths in 5th grade, the equivalent of XNUMXst grade in France. What impresses me the most is the speed in the big curves. The biggest change from the kart is the pressure you have to put on the brake pedal. I admit that I am pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere in the paddock. She is generally very good even if, from time to time, there is a little tension. »

Stevenheydens enthusiastic

In a peloton where there are many repeaters and drivers who have experience of car elsewhere than in F4, Yani Stevenheydens is doing very well. Particularly last weekend in the streets of Pau.

“I loved this circuit, specifies this great enthusiast. However, free practice did not start in an ideal way. I made a small mistake that sent me into the rails. I also had to break in brake pads. Not really time to get my bearings on this urban circuit which does not forgive deviations in trajectory. In this context, I was happy to sign the 4th time of my series. »

4th in the 1st race starting from 7th position, the Belgian distinguished himself by two muscular overtakes while he took advantage of a small error from Kevin Foster. In the 2nd sprint, Stevenheydens started 4th then moved into the final top 3. But it’s the 3rd and final race that leaves him with the most beautiful memories…

“5th on the grid, I quickly found myself 4th before a red flag interrupted the race because of the deluge which fell on Pau. Subsequently, I achieved very good braking. Which allowed me to receive a very chic trophy for my 3rd place at the Grand Prix de Pau. I'm really delighted. At the start of the season, I had difficulty getting the most out of the tires in qualifying and I lost a lot of time at the start. Two aspects that I have improved in recent weeks.

Now 6th in the provisional ranking of the French F4 championship before heading into the Spa-Francorchamps meeting (June 3-4), Yani Stevenheydens has no concrete objective this year: “I'm here to learn, try to progress throughout the races and climb on the podium as often as possible. » What the young Belgian has already achieved three times so far.

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