Verstappen linked with van Langendonck move

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported Max Verstappen has signed McLaren junior Dries van Langendonck to Verstappen Racing in a driver-development move.

Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that Max Verstappen has signed McLaren junior Dries van Langendonck to Verstappen Racing, in what both outlets described as the Formula 1 champion’s first step into driver development. According to those reports, Verstappen’s team will support and guide the Belgian prospect.

Motorsport.com reported that van Langendonck is a Belgian driver currently racing in karting and part of McLaren’s junior set-up. No official announcement is included in the supplied material, so the arrangement remains a reported move rather than a confirmed one here.

The reported deal adds to Verstappen’s activity away from the Formula 1 grid during the 2026 season. The Dutch driver, born on 30 September 1997, is seventh in the drivers' championship on 76 points and has recorded 242 starts, 71 wins, 51 poles and 129 podiums since his debut in 2015.