Fifteen-year-old Belgian racer Dries van Langendonck has signed with Verstappen Racing, adding the four-time F1 drivers' champion's management backing to a junior career already supported by the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
Van Langendonck, who hails from Zolder and races with Rodin Motorsport in the British Formula 4 Championship, will receive guidance from Verstappen and his management team as he progresses through the junior single-seater categories. He remains a McLaren junior driver.
"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," Van Langendonck said.
"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."
The teenager's rise has been rapid. Seven karting championship titles preceded a move into single-seaters, where he took pole position and victory on his debut weekend in British F4 last year.
He then clinched the Formula Winter Series title with nine wins from fifteen races before embarking on his first full F4 campaign this season.
Halfway through the 2026 British F4 Championship, Van Langendonck leads the standings following a double victory at Circuit Zandvoort last weekend.
Verstappen believes the Belgian has already shown the qualities needed to continue progressing through the ranks.
"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.
"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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