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Max Esterson

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Max Esterson
Esterson driving for Jenzer Motorsport during the 2024 Spielberg Formula 3 round
Nationality American
 British
via dual nationality
Born (2002-10-09) October 9, 2002 (age 22)
New York City, United States
FIA Formula 3 Championship career
Debut season2023
Current teamJenzer Motorsport
Car number18
Former teamsRodin Carlin
Starts34 (34 entries)
Wins0
Podiums0
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Best finish21st in 2024
Previous series
2022–2023
2021
2020
2020		GB3 Championship
National Formula Ford
F2000 Championship Series
F1600 Championship Series

Maxwell Esterson[1] (born October 9, 2002) is an American racing driver and sim-racer acurrently set to compete in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship with Trident. He most recently competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Jenzer Motorsport and in the GB3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports. He is also a former Red Bull athlete.[2]

Career

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Sim racing

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Esterson started his sim racing career on iRacing at the age of 11.[3][4] He then went on to become one of the top sim-racers in the world, including finishing in 7th place in the 2019 VRS Pro GT Championship.[5] This string of results quickly showed as he was ranked within the top 35 road course drivers in the world and top 4 in the US on the iRacing program. In 2020 he became champion of the Formula Race Promotions iRacing Challenge.[6] He followed this by winning the 2021 Road to Indy TireRack.com eSeries.[7]

Karting

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Esterson started karting when he was almost 16.[8] In 2019 he contested his first partial season in karting at Oakland Valley Race Park, competing with McAleer Racing.[4][9]

Formula Ford

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2020

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Esterson made his single-seater racing debut in 2020, competing in the F1600 Championship Series with Team Pelfrey.[4][8] He took one victory and finished the season in fifth.[8][10] He also contested a single race in the F2000 Championship Series at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, which he won, setting at the time the track-record.[2][8] At the end of the year Esterson made his debut at two of the world’s biggest races, the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy.[8][9] Running with Low-Dempsey Racing, Esterson qualified 2nd in his heat at the Formula Ford Festival, and finished 6th in the Grand Final.

2021

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In 2021 Esterson competed in the BRSCC Avon Tyres National Formula Ford Championship for Low Dempsey Racing where he scored two wins and finished third in the Championship.[11][12][13] He then went on to finish second in the 50th Anniversary BRSCC Formula Ford Festival and won the 2021 Walter Hayes Trophy as part of the Team USA Scholarship.[3][14][15][16]

2022

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He returned to the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy with Ammonite Motorsport in 2022.[17] At the Formula Ford Festival he took pole by 0.8sec, won his heat, won his semifinal and was on pole for the final. Esterson led every lap of the Final and was then awarded victory as the race was shortened due to torrential weather conditions.[18][19] In the Walter Hayes Trophy Esterson again qualified on pole, won his heat race, won his semifinal and led every lap of the Grand Final for the second year in a row, finishing first but he was then dropped to fifth after a controversial ruling handed him a 4.5-second penalty for a collision with another driver.[20][8]

GB3 Championship

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2022

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In 2022 Esterson progressed to the GB3 Championship, partnering Tommy Smith and Marcos Flack at Douglas Motorsport.[21][22] He started out by taking his first top ten finish in Race 3 at the season opener in Oulton Park, before scoring a pair of fourth places at Silverstone. The third round of the season at Donington Park would prove to be his most successful one, as Esterson achieved his maiden podium in the first race, before winning Race 2 from pole position, thus securing his first win in slicks-and-wings machinery.[23][24] He finished the season in seventh.[8]

2023

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In 2023 he joined Fortec Motorsports in the GB3 Championship.[2][8] The season started with a series of misfortune, with a multitude of mechanical failures and difficult conditions leading to disappointing finishes in regard to his pace. His qualifying was hampered by a red flag at Spa, followed by a technical failure in race two after a strong drive to fourth.[25] He would again make a strong drive in the reverse grid race, setting the fastest lap of the race and making up twelve places in six laps, only to be taken out at Les Combes.[26] An electrical failure at Snetterton during qualifying meant that he started at the back of the grid for all three races.[27] His woes were exacerbated in the second Silverstone round, where he had two engine failures during free practice, and an underpowered engine for qualifying, despite this, he was able to recover well across the weekend, recovering to 10th and 9th in the first and second races respectively, from 18th on the grid. [28] At the last race in Donington Park, Esterson would score his only podium with a third place in race two.[29] Esterson finished the season in 11th, four places lower than the previous year.[30]

FIA Formula 3

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At the end of 2022, Esterson took part in the post-season test of the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing.[31]

2023

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Esterson driving the Dallara F3 2019 during the 2023 Macau Grand Prix

In 2023 he joined Rodin Carlin in the FIA Formula 3 Championship ahead of the round at Silverstone, replacing Hunter Yeany for both that round and Budapest.[32] Esterson finished a highest finish of 18th place in Budapest. He returned to his GB3 duties following that, and was replaced in his seat by Euroformula Open racer Francesco Simonazzi for the final two rounds.[33] He was classified 35th, albeit last in the standings.[34] For the post-season tests, Esterson was fielded in by Jenzer Motorsport.[35][36] Esterson also partook in the Macau Grand Prix with Jenzer.[37]

2024

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In 2024, Esterson joined FIA Formula 3 on a full-time basis, teaming up with Jenzer Motorsport.[38] During the Sakhir Formula 3 Sprint Race, he qualified an impressive tenth, and was able to stay in the top 10 throughout the whole race, holding off Gabriele Minì for sixth place.[39]

FIA Formula 2 Championship

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At the end of 2024, Esterson was announced to make his Formula 2 debut with Trident for the final two rounds of the season, replacing Richard Verschoor who himself replaced the outgoing Dennis Hauger at MP Motorsport.[40]

Personal life

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Esterson grew up in New York City going to the Allen-Stevenson School and attended Regis High School, graduating in 2021.[4][8][41]

Racing record

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Career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2020 F1600 Championship Series Team Pelfrey[4] 15 1 3 3 4 423 5th
F2000 Championship Series Ubs Financial Services 1 1 0 1 1 52 16th
National FF1600 Championship Low Dempsey Racing 3 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Formula Ford Festival 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 6th
Walter Hayes Trophy 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 14th
2021 National Formula Ford Championship Low Dempsey Racing 20 2 1 4 13 414 3rd
Formula Ford Festival 1 0 0 0 1 N/A 2nd
Walter Hayes Trophy 1 1 1 0 1 N/A 1st
2022 GB3 Championship Douglas Motorsport 24 1 1 2 3 292.5 7th
Formula Ford Festival Ammonite Motorsport 1 1 1 0 1 N/A 1st
Walter Hayes Trophy 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 5th
2023 GB3 Championship Fortec Motorsports 23 0 0 1 1 215 11th
FIA Formula 3 Championship Rodin Carlin 4 0 0 0 0 0 35th
Macau Grand Prix Jenzer Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 20th
2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship Jenzer Motorsport 20 0 0 0 0 11 21st
FIA Formula 2 Championship Trident 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD

*Season still in progress.

Complete GB3 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 DC Points
2022 Douglas Motorsport OUL
1
19 		OUL
2
11 		OUL
3
81 		SIL1
1
4 		SIL1
2
4 		SIL1
3
105 		DON1
1
3 		DON1
2
1 		DON1
3
117 		SNE
1
10 		SNE
2
10 		SNE
3
75 		SPA
1
4 		SPA
2
3 		SPA
3
173 		SIL2
1
9 		SIL2
2
10 		SIL2
3
Ret 		BRH
1
10 		BRH
2
18 		BRH
3
Ret 		DON2
1
11 		DON2
2
8 		DON2
3
18 		7th 292.5
2023 Fortec Motorsports OUL
1
7 		OUL
2
4 		OUL
3
Ret 		SIL1
1
13 		SIL1
2
8 		SIL1
3
22 		SPA
1
6 		SPA
2
Ret 		SPA
3
21 		SNE
1
20 		SNE
2
16 		SNE
3
169 		SIL2
1
10 		SIL2
2
9 		SIL2
3
C 		BRH
1
11 		BRH
2
11 		BRH
3
Ret 		ZAN
1
13 		ZAN
2
13 		ZAN
3
92 		DON
1
6 		DON
2
3 		DON
3
89 		11th 215

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

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Year Team Car Qualifying Quali Race Main race
2023 Switzerland Jenzer Motorsport Dallara F3 2019 21st 16th 20th

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2023 Rodin Carlin BHR
SPR 		BHR
FEA 		MEL
SPR 		MEL
FEA 		MON
SPR 		MON
FEA 		CAT
SPR 		CAT
FEA 		RBR
SPR 		RBR
FEA 		SIL
SPR
24 		SIL
FEA
Ret 		HUN
SPR
18 		HUN
FEA
21 		SPA
SPR 		SPA
FEA 		MNZ
SPR 		MNZ
FEA 		35th 0
2024 Jenzer Motorsport BHR
SPR
6 		BHR
FEA
24 		MEL
SPR
26 		MEL
FEA
14 		IMO
SPR
18 		IMO
FEA
21 		MON
SPR
14 		MON
FEA
17 		CAT
SPR
22 		CAT
FEA
23 		RBR
SPR
18 		RBR
FEA
17 		SIL
SPR
Ret 		SIL
FEA
18 		HUN
SPR
16 		HUN
FEA
15 		SPA
SPR
Ret 		SPA
FEA
7 		MNZ
SPR
Ret 		MNZ
FEA
Ret 		21st 11

Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 DC Points
2024 Trident BHR
SPR 		BHR
FEA 		JED
SPR 		JED
FEA 		MEL
SPR 		MEL
FEA 		IMO
SPR 		IMO
FEA 		MON
SPR 		MON
FEA 		CAT
SPR 		CAT
FEA 		RBR
SPR 		RBR
FEA 		SIL
SPR 		SIL
FEA 		HUN
SPR 		HUN
FEA 		SPA
SPR 		SPA
FEA 		MNZ
SPR 		MNZ
FEA 		BAK
SPR 		BAK
FEA 		LSL
SPR
 LSL
FEA
 YMC
SPR
 YMC
FEA
 TBD* TBD*

* Season still in progress.

References

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  1. ^ "2023 Silverstone Event - F3 Entry List - Silverstone Event" (PDF). fia.com. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Wood, Ida (November 28, 2022). "Max Esterson signs with Fortec for second GB3 season". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Max Esterson". www.gb-3.net. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Max Esterson Confirmed as Championship Contender for Team Pelfrey in 2020". www.racefrp.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Vendaval Simracing - SimRacingWiki". www.simracing.wiki. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Rivard and Christie Win at VIR During Final Rounds of FRP iRacing Challenge Presented by Hoosier Tire". www.racefrp.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Esterson Clinches TireRack.com eSeries Title with Mid-Ohio Win". www.usf2000.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Whitfield, Steve (December 23, 2022). "How Esports and FFord helped Max Esterson become a GB3 race-winner". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Max Esterson Racing". Max Esterson Racing. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "Results". Max Esterson Racing. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Whitfield, Steve (June 20, 2021). "Esterson wins shortened National FF1600 Silverstone race three". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Whitfield, Steve (June 19, 2021). "Esterson triumphs in frenetic National FF1600 battle at Silverstone". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Wood, Ida (October 30, 2021). "The 2021 Formula Ford Festival spotter's guide". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  14. ^ Wood, Ida (October 1, 2021). "Andre Castro and Max Esterson named as 2021 Team USA scholars". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  15. ^ Whitfield, Steve (October 31, 2021). "Maclennan excluded from Festival runner-up spot, Castro gets podium". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Whitfield, Steve (November 7, 2021). "Team USA scholar Max Esterson wins the Walter Hayes Trophy". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  17. ^ Whitfield, Steve (October 18, 2022). "GB3 race-winner Max Esterson to defend Walter Hayes Trophy win". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "Esterson worthy winner as Formula Ford Festival ends in farce". www.autosport.com. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Whitfield, Steve (October 23, 2022). "Esterson declared Formula Ford Festival winner after rain deluge". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  20. ^ Whitfield, Steve (November 6, 2022). "Foster gets record fourth Walter Hayes win after Esterson penalty". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  21. ^ "Douglas Motorsport Sign Max Esterson For 2022 GB3 Championship". Douglas Motorsport. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  22. ^ Wood, Ida (December 1, 2021). "Team USA scholar Max Esterson to GB3 with Douglas Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  23. ^ "ESTERSON STORMS TO MAIDEN GB3 WIN IN DONINGTON PARK RACE TWO". www.gb-3.net. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  24. ^ Whitfield, Steve (May 29, 2022). "Esterson takes maiden GB3 win in race two at Donington". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  25. ^ Whitfield, Steve (June 3, 2023). "Dunne does the double with another GB3 win at Spa". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  26. ^ Wood, Ida (June 4, 2023). "Stewart wins Spa race three, Loake takes GB3 points lead". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Whitfield, Steve (June 17, 2023). "Rees and Voisin share Snetterton poles in GB3 qualifying". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  28. ^ Series, Feeder (August 3, 2023). "How the 2023 season has 'been a disaster' for Max Esterson and Fortec Motorsport". Feeder Series. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  29. ^ Whitfield, Steve (October 22, 2023). "Dunne keeps title race alive with fifth GB3 win at Donington Park". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "GB3 Championship Partnered by the BRDC 2023". DriverDB. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "ESTERSON BUOYED BY STRONG FIA F3 TEST SHOWING". www.gb-3.net. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  32. ^ Whitfield, Steve (July 5, 2023). "GB3 racer Esterson to make Formula 3 debut at Silverstone". Formula Scout. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  33. ^ "Rodin Carlin confirms Francesco Simonazzi for remainder of the 2023 F3 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  34. ^ "Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2023 Championship". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  35. ^ "Formula 3 gears up for post-season testing from Jerez". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  36. ^ "Jenzer drivers promising in FIA F3 tests in Jerez". Jenzer Motorsport. October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  37. ^ Wood, Ida (October 25, 2023). "Two-time winner Ticktum headlines 2023 Macau GP entry list". Formula Scout. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  38. ^ "Max Esterson joins Jenzer Motorsport for 2024 campaign". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Esterson pleased with unexpected points finish in Sakhir Sprint". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  40. ^ "Max Esterson to finish 2024 season with Trident". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  41. ^ "FRP's F1600 driver - Max Esterson - gets recognition in the WSJ as a sim racer and coach". www.racefrp.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
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