Max Esterson

Max Esterson
Esterson driving the Dallara F3 2019 during the 2023 Macau Grand Prix
Nationality	American   British via dual nationality
Born	(2002-10-09) October 9, 2002 (age 21) New York City, United States
FIA Formula 3 Championship career
Debut season	2023
Current team	Jenzer Motorsport
Car number	18
Former teams	Rodin Carlin
Starts	8 (8 entries)
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Poles	0
Fastest laps	0
Best finish	6th 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 and is currently competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Jenzer Motorsport. He most recently competed in the GB3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports. He is also a former Red Bull athlete. ^[2]

Career

Sim racing

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

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

2020

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

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

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

2022

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

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

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

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

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]

Personal life

Esterson grew up in New York City going to the Allen-Stevenson School and attended Regis High School, graduating in 2021. ^{[4] [8] [40]}

Racing record

Career summary

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	4	0	0	0	0	5*	18th*

*Season still in progress.

Complete GB3 Championship results

(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

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

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

(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	CAT FEA	RBR SPR	RBR FEA	SIL SPR	SIL FEA	HUN SPR	HUN FEA	SPA SPR	SPA FEA	MNZ SPR	MNZ FEA	22nd*	5*

^* Season still in progress.

References

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. Wood, Ida (November 28, 2022). "Max Esterson signs with Fortec for second GB3 season". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
3. "Max Esterson". www.gb-3.net. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
4. "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. Whitfield, Steve (December 23, 2022). "How Esports and FFord helped Max Esterson become a GB3 race-winner". Formula Scout. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
9. "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. "FRP's F1600 driver - Max Esterson - gets recognition in the WSJ as a sim racer and coach". www.racefrp.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Max Esterson career summary at DriverDB.com