Max Verstappen protégé and McLaren junior wins British F4 title on road to F1

Dries Van Langendonck has been crowned 2026 British Formula 4 champion after finishing second in the opening race of the season finale at Brands Hatch on Saturday, October 10, completing a remarkable first full campaign in single-seater racing.

The 16-year-old Belgian, who races for Rodin Motorsport and is a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, entered the final round with a 72-point advantage in the standings.

His runner-up finish behind Theo Palmer of Hitech was enough to put the championship beyond the reach of his rivals, with two races still remaining in the season.

"It's been a difficult season, to say the least," Van Langendonck said after clinching the British F4 crown. "I've been through a lot of ups and downs, and to finally get it done is a big, big weight lifted off my shoulders. So yeah, really, really happy, and especially to do it here is just amazing.”

Van Langendonck had to settle for second in the title-deciding race after Palmer controlled proceedings at the front.

"Unfortunately, we weren't as quick as Theo [Palmer] this time, but happy to still bring it home in second," he said.

From karting champion to single-seater success

The British F4 title is the latest milestone in an impressive 2026 season for Van Langendonck, who entered the year facing the challenge of adapting to car racing after spending his formative years in karting.

He had already made an immediate impression in his transition to single-seaters, winning the Formula Winter Series before embarking on his first full British F4 campaign.

Driving for Rodin Motorsport, he dominated the winter championship, winning nine of its 15 races and finishing 149 points clear of his nearest rival.

That form carried into the British championship, where Van Langendonck established himself as the leading contender through a combination of race victories and consistent points finishes.

He ultimately recorded eight wins and four additional podiums on his way to the title, building a commanding advantage over Palmer and Lewis Wherrell of JHR Developments.

Despite his success, the teenager acknowledged that the campaign had tested him, making the moment of securing the championship particularly significant.

"In the moment, I was quite zoned in; I was just focused on the driving, and then when the moment finally sinks in... it still hasn't sunk in,” he said. "But no, it was quite surreal coming across the line."

Already a McLaren junior, Van Langendonck has also attracted the support of four-time F1 drivers' champion Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver's involvement became public in July, when it was announced that the Dutchman and his management group were supporting the Belgian's progress. The arrangement complements Van Langendonck's existing relationship with McLaren as he builds experience in the early stages of the single-seater ladder.

Asked about his performance this season and how it might be viewed by McLaren, Van Langendonck expressed confidence that he had delivered on expectations.

"I think I've done a reasonable job this year, so I think they're quite okay with my performance," he added. "I've had a lot of support from their side. So a lot of thanks to them goes out as well. I couldn't do this without them."