Max Verstappen has announced that he will mentor Dries van Langendonck under his Verstappen Racing brand.
Van Langendonck currently has 12 titles across multiple karting categories under his belt at 15 years-old and is now sat top of the 2026 British F4 season with four wins and poles apiece in 15 races.
He also won the 2026 Formula Winter Series title earlier this year in his first full-time season in a single-seater category – having only driven a part-time campaign in British F4 in 2025.
The young Belgian driver has also been part of McLaren’s Young Driver Development Programme since July 2024, with Verstappen coincidentally rumoured to be joining McLaren’s F1 Team next season, and will now receive expanded mentoring from both McLaren and Verstappen.
Dries has welcomed Max’s support and the ability to dovetail that learning alongside his learnings at McLaren.
“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.
“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.”
Max added that he admires Dries’ progress in motorsport so far at just 15 years of age and is excited to mentor him and provide simulator support to maximise the youngster’s potential to reach F1.
“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.
“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.”
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