Verstappen excited to mentor McLaren junior Van Langendonck on road to Formula 1

Max Verstappen has spoken publicly for the first time about his role in mentoring McLaren junior Dries van Langendonck, describing the 15-year-old Belgian as a "special" talent and outlining his ambition to help guide him all the way to Formula One.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Van Langendonck has signed with Verstappen's management company, where he will receive support and guidance from the four-time World Champion while remaining a member of McLaren's driver development programme.

Van Langendonck joined McLaren's junior programme in 2024 after a hugely successful karting career that included seven championship titles.

Having stepped up to Formula 4 at the end of 2025, the Belgian currently leads the British F4 Championship with four victories from the opening 15 races, underlining his status as one of Europe's brightest young prospects.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen explained why he decided to become involved in the teenager's career.

"He has been a big talent for a long time already in go-karting, and I think you can spot quite quickly when someone is a little bit more special than someone else."

The Red Bull driver believes Van Langendonck has continued to prove his potential since graduating to single-seaters.

"I think that has carried on with what he's doing right now in Formula 4, and that's why I think it's just very exciting to try and help him and guide him, of course hand in hand with McLaren's side as well, to make the right decisions for his future."

Rather than competing with McLaren over the youngster's development, Verstappen stressed that the relationship will be collaborative, with both parties focused on giving Van Langendonck the best possible pathway to Formula One.

"He wants to get to Formula 1, and I'm just trying to make sure that will happen in the future. It's honestly a very exciting project to be part of."

Verstappen was also asked whether his growing involvement in driver management, alongside his successful Team Redline sim racing activities and Verstappen.com Racing GT3 programme, reflects his long-term ambitions beyond Formula One.

While he admitted he has not considered owning or running a Formula One team, he said he enjoys helping young drivers develop and sees enormous potential in Van Langendonck.

"To F1, I don't know, but for me it just needs to be exciting and promising, and that's what I feel is happening now with Dries."

The Dutchman revealed that his role will extend well beyond offering occasional advice, with plans to help the teenager make key career decisions while also sharing his own expertise through simulator work.

"Of course, the goal, like I said before, is Formula 1, so we're just going to try and help him achieve that by making, hopefully, the right calls and decisions in terms of where he has to race, what he has to do, help him on the simulator side as well, and just try to give him more and more experience."

Verstappen also highlighted Van Langendonck's youth, pointing out that there is still plenty of development ahead despite the Belgian already demonstrating exceptional natural ability.

"He's only 15, so there's still a lot to learn naturally, but luckily, I think, in terms of raw speed, that's there."

Looking further ahead, Verstappen explained that mentoring young drivers fits naturally with the broader motorsport projects he hopes to pursue after his Formula One career, particularly through his expanding GT3 programme and his ambition to compete in endurance racing.

"From my side, of course, with the GT3 project and the future endurance races that I want to do myself, I want to involve the team in that as well. There are just a lot of exciting things ahead."