Racing
© fuji.tim
Max Verstappen has made his first move into junior driver development by signing 15-year-old McLaren prospect Dries van Langendonck to Verstappen Racing.
The deal gives van Langendonck additional support and guidance from Verstappen’s side while keeping him in the McLaren Driver Development Programme. Verstappen Racing will also support him through its Pro Simulation operation as he continues his climb through the junior single-seater ranks.
The Belgian has quickly built one of the strongest résumés in British F4’s current field. After winning the 2023 World Junior Karting title, he joined McLaren’s development programme in July 2024 and then announced himself in single-seaters by taking pole and victory on his maiden British Formula 4 weekend. He has since won the Formula Winter Series title with nine victories from 15 races and now leads the 2026 British F4 standings after a double win at Zandvoort.
In a statement attributed to Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, the four-time Formula 1 world champion said van Langendonck’s rate of progress was the reason for the backing. “I am impressed by the steep progress that Dries has made during his career and the talent he has shown both in karting and in his first steps in open formula racing,” Verstappen said.
He added that the support would be aimed squarely at Formula 1. “After getting to know Dries and his family, I’m convinced that all the signs for becoming a great future driver are there. Therefore, my management team and I will, with the simulator support of Verstappen Racing Pro Simulation, assist Dries to reach the ultimate goal of Formula 1.”
Van Langendonck described the agreement as a significant step in that path. “Verstappen Racing provides the support to take me to the next level in my career and marks an important step on my path to Formula 1 as the ultimate goal,” he said.
He added: “To be able to learn from such an experienced driver as Max and to have the support of his professional management team, alongside that of McLaren Racing, is really amazing. I am very thankful. I will keep pushing to maximise my performances while doing what I like best: racing.”
For Verstappen, the agreement extends his motorsport footprint beyond Formula 1 and the GT and sim-racing projects he has already established, while formally launching his own driver-development effort with a teenager who is already emerging as a serious junior prospect.