Dries van Langendonck: 'Verstappen Racing provides another layer of support'
Published on 18 July 2026 by Niels Hendrix
On Thursday, it was announced that Dries van Langendonck will receive support and guidance from Max Verstappen and his management team under the Verstappen Racing banner. Talking to the 15-year-old Belgian talent currently leading the British Formula 4 championship, Dries shares his thoughts from Spa-Francorchamps:
“It was great to be with the McLaren Mastercard F1 Team in Spa. I was in the garage for FP1 and FP2, so I learned a lot listening into the radio, seeing how the team operated and overall enjoying the experience. It’s always special to be at a Formula 1 event, so I always want to make the most of the opportunity and take away as much as I can from it.”
How special is it to be at Spa as a Belgian driver? Dries answers: “It’s very special. Seeing all the fans and experiencing the support from the Belgian crowd is incredible. Spa is one of my favourite circuits and the atmosphere here is always amazing. Hopefully one day I’ll have the chance to race here myself.”
Do you have any special memories of the Belgian Grand Prix? Dries remembers: “One of my favourite memories was being a Grid Kid at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2019. I remember standing on the grid with Sebastian Vettel just behind me, which was an unforgettable experience. That’s definitely a memory that will stay with me forever.”
How would you assess your season so far, and what have been the biggest lessons you've learned? Dries replies: “Overall, I think it’s been a positive season. We’re now at the halfway point of the British F4 season, and I’m leading the Championship, which is encouraging. There have been a few rounds where we maybe didn’t maximise every opportunity, but that’s something we continue to work on and have pushed through. At the same time, the development has been really strong, and I’m hoping to carry the momentum from the last round in Zandvoort into the second half of the year.”
You won the Formula Winter Series this year and currently lead the British F4 Championship. What have been some of your highlights so far? Dries says: “Winning the Formula Winter Series was a great achievement and there have been a number of memorable moments this season. One highlight was taking a victory at Aragon with an overtake on the final corner, which was a particularly satisfying way to win. Another standout moment was racing at Zandvoort, which feels like the closest thing to a home Grand Prix for me with the circuits I am racing at this season. The atmosphere there was incredible and it was fantastic to see so many fans supporting me.”
What does being part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme mean to you at this stage of your career? Dries: “It means a huge amount to me. The programme provides incredible support and gives me the opportunity to learn from experienced people every day. They help me in all areas, and I also have McLaren's Head of Driver Development Warren Hughes with me at every event, which has been so valuable. The team, especially Warren, have played a massive role in my development, particularly in the early stages of my Formula 4 career. When I first stepped into F4 there were a lot of habits and areas that needed cleaning up, and Warren helped me with that from the start. Him and the whole team are pushing me to become the best driver I can be.”
Are there any aspects of the McLaren Driver Development Programme away from the track that have benefited you? Dries elaborates: “As well as the driving aspects, the team have been really helpful with the wider parts of being a driver. They’ve helped with the media side of things as well as partnerships and other training. More generally spending time with the wider team and learning about different aspects of the sport has been very valuable and has helped me develop both on and off the track.”
Who is your racing idol and why? Dries: “Max Verstappen has always been an idol for me. Growing up in Belgium, there was a natural connection to him, but beyond that he's an incredible driver and someone I've always admired.”
What goals have you set yourself for the remainder of the season? Dries answers: “My goal is to win the British F4 Championship. That's what I'm focused on and working towards every day.” And looking ahead, what are your ambitions for the future? Dries: “Ultimately, my goal is to race in Formula 1 and obviously become a Formula 1 World Champion. There's still a long way to go and a lot of hard work ahead, but I believe that's possible with McLaren and their support. If I continue to develop, work hard and make the most of every opportunity, hopefully all the pieces will come together.
You've signed with with Verstappen Racing, how will they support your development alongside McLaren Racing? Dries explains: “Verstappen Racing provides another layer of support and backing alongside McLaren, which will be important for my career. It gives me access to additional resources and opportunities to continue developing as a driver, including extra simulator time at Max’s simulator facility. Having support from both McLaren and Verstappen Racing means I can focus on improving every aspect of my performance and becoming the best driver possible.”
