Max Esterson

Esterson started his sim racing career on iRacing at the age of 11.{{Cite web |title=Max Esterson |url=https://www.gb-3.net/drivers/2022/max-esterson |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=www.gb-3.net}}{{Cite web |title=Max Esterson Confirmed as Championship Contender for Team Pelfrey in 2020 |url=https://www.racefrp.com/news/max-esterson-confirmed-as-championship-contender-for-team-pelfrey-in-2020 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=www.racefrp.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Vendaval Simracing - SimRacingWiki |url=https://www.simracing.wiki/Vendaval_Simracing |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=www.simracing.wiki}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Rivard and Christie Win at VIR During Final Rounds of FRP iRacing Challenge Presented by Hoosier Tire |url=https://www.racefrp.com/news/rivard-and-christie-win-at-vir-during-final-rounds-of-frp-iracing-challenge-presented-by-hoosier-tire |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=www.racefrp.com |language=en}} He followed this by winning the 2021 Road to Indy TireRack.com eSeries.{{Cite web |title=Esterson Clinches TireRack.com eSeries Title with Mid-Ohio Win |url=https://www.usf2000.com/news/esterson-clinches-tirerack.com-eseries-title-with-mid-ohio-win |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=www.usf2000.com}}

Esterson started karting when he was almost 16.{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=December 23, 2022 |title=How Esports and FFord helped Max Esterson become a GB3 race-winner |url=https://formulascout.com/how-esports-and-fford-helped-max-esterson-become-a-gb3-race-winner/101903 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} In 2019 he contested his first partial season in karting at Oakland Valley Race Park, competing with McAleer Racing.{{Cite web |title=Max Esterson Racing |url=https://www.maxesterson.com/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Max Esterson Racing |language=en}}

Esterson made his single-seater racing debut in 2020, competing in the F1600 Championship Series with Team Pelfrey. He took one victory and finished the season in fifth.{{Cite web |title=Results |url=https://www.maxesterson.com/results |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Max Esterson Racing |language=en}} 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. 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. Running with Low-Dempsey Racing, Esterson qualified 2nd in his heat at the Formula Ford Festival, and finished 6th in the Grand Final.

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.{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=June 20, 2021 |title=Esterson wins shortened National FF1600 Silverstone race three |url=https://formulascout.com/esterson-wins-shortened-national-ff1600-silverstone-race-three/80211 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=June 19, 2021 |title=Esterson triumphs in frenetic National FF1600 battle at Silverstone |url=https://formulascout.com/esterson-triumphs-in-frenetic-national-ff1600-battle-at-silverstone/80075 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=October 30, 2021 |title=The 2021 Formula Ford Festival spotter's guide |url=https://formulascout.com/the-2021-formula-ford-festival-spotters-guide/85827 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=October 1, 2021 |title=Andre Castro and Max Esterson named as 2021 Team USA scholars |url=https://formulascout.com/andre-castro-and-max-esterson-named-as-2021-team-usa-scholars/84690 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=October 31, 2021 |title=Maclennan excluded from Festival runner-up spot, Castro gets podium |url=https://formulascout.com/maclennan-excluded-from-festival-runner-up-spot-castro-gets-podium/86102 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=November 7, 2021 |title=Team USA scholar Max Esterson wins the Walter Hayes Trophy |url=https://formulascout.com/team-usa-scholar-max-esterson-wins-the-walter-hayes-trophy/86429 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

He returned to the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy with Ammonite Motorsport in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=October 18, 2022 |title=GB3 race-winner Max Esterson to defend Walter Hayes Trophy win |url=https://formulascout.com/gb3-race-winner-max-esterson-to-defend-walter-hayes-trophy-win/99907 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Esterson worthy winner as Formula Ford Festival ends in farce |url=https://www.autosport.com/national/news/esterson-worthy-winner-as-formula-ford-festival-ends-in-farce/10390681/ |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=www.autosport.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=October 23, 2022 |title=Esterson declared Formula Ford Festival winner after rain deluge |url=https://formulascout.com/esterson-declared-formula-ford-festival-winner-after-rain-deluge/100253 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=November 6, 2022 |title=Foster gets record fourth Walter Hayes win after Esterson penalty |url=https://formulascout.com/esterson-holds-off-foster-for-second-walter-hayes-trophy-win/100728 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

In 2022 Esterson progressed to the GB3 Championship, partnering Tommy Smith and Marcos Flack at Douglas Motorsport.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Douglas Motorsport Sign Max Esterson For 2022 GB3 Championship |url=http://www.douglasmotorsport.com/douglas-motorsport-sign-max-esterson-for-2022-gb3-championship/ |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=Douglas Motorsport |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Team USA scholar Max Esterson to GB3 with Douglas Motorsport |url=https://formulascout.com/team-usa-scholar-max-esterson-to-gb3-with-douglas-motorsport/87071 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=ESTERSON STORMS TO MAIDEN GB3 WIN IN DONINGTON PARK RACE TWO |url=https://www.gb-3.net/news/2022/race-two-coverage-live-watch-here |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=www.gb-3.net}}{{Cite web |last=Whitfield |first=Steve |date=May 29, 2022 |title=Esterson takes maiden GB3 win in race two at Donington |url=https://formulascout.com/esterson-takes-maiden-gb3-win-in-race-two-at-donington/94429 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} He finished the season in seventh.

In 2023 he joined Fortec Motorsports in the GB3 Championship. 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.{{Cite web|last=Whitfield|first=Steve|date=June 3, 2023|title=Dunne does the double with another GB3 win at Spa|url=https://formulascout.com/dunne-does-the-double-with-another-gb3-win-at-spa/107751|access-date=October 23, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=June 4, 2023|title=Stewart wins Spa race three, Loake takes GB3 points lead|url=https://formulascout.com/stewart-wins-spa-race-three-loake-takes-gb3-points-lead/107802|access-date=October 23, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} An electrical failure at Snetterton during qualifying meant that he started at the back of the grid for all three races.{{Cite web|last=Whitfield|first=Steve|date=June 17, 2023|title=Rees and Voisin share Snetterton poles in GB3 qualifying|url=https://formulascout.com/rees-and-voisin-share-snetterton-poles-in-gb3-qualifying/108138|access-date=October 23, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Series |first=Feeder |date=August 3, 2023 |title=How the 2023 season has 'been a disaster' for Max Esterson and Fortec Motorsport |url=https://feederseries.net/2023/08/03/how-the-2023-season-has-been-a-disaster-for-max-esterson-and-fortec-motorsport/ |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=Feeder Series |language=en}} At the last race in Donington Park, Esterson would score his only podium with a third place in race two.{{Cite web|last=Whitfield|first=Steve|date=October 22, 2023|title=Dunne keeps title race alive with fifth GB3 win at Donington Park|url=https://formulascout.com/dunne-keeps-title-race-alive-with-fifth-gb3-win-at-donington-park/112538|access-date=October 23, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} Esterson finished the season in 11th, four places lower than the previous year.{{Cite web|title=GB3 Championship Partnered by the BRDC 2023|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/formula-3-britain/2023|access-date=October 23, 2023|website=DriverDB|language=en}}

At the end of 2022, Esterson took part in the post-season test of the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing.{{Cite web |title=ESTERSON BUOYED BY STRONG FIA F3 TEST SHOWING |url=https://www.gb-3.net/news/2022/esterson-buoyed-by-strong-fia-f3-test-showing |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=www.gb-3.net}}

File:70th MACAU GRAND PRIX (180).jpg 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.{{Cite web|last=Whitfield|first=Steve|date=July 5, 2023|title=GB3 racer Esterson to make Formula 3 debut at Silverstone|url=https://formulascout.com/gb3-racer-esterson-to-make-formula-3-debut-at-silverstone/108841|access-date=July 5, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Rodin Carlin confirms Francesco Simonazzi for remainder of the 2023 F3 season|date=July 26, 2023|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/26F4pPGevxch2GXp75NS3u/rodin-carlin-confirms-francesco-simonazzi-for-remainder-of-the-2023-f3|access-date=July 27, 2023|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} He was classified 35th, albeit last in the standings.{{Cite web|title=Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2023 Championship|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Standings/Driver?seasonId=180|access-date=September 14, 2023|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} For the post-season tests, Esterson was fielded in by Jenzer Motorsport.{{Cite web|title=Formula 3 gears up for post-season testing from Jerez|date=October 4, 2023|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/4NUhVRGnUX1gxs6eHi5n0B/formula-3-gears-up-for-post-season-testing-from-jerez|access-date=October 7, 2023|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Jenzer drivers promising in FIA F3 tests in Jerez|date=October 6, 2023|url=https://www.jenzermotorsport.ch/en/?view=article&id=1585:press-release-12-2023&catid=47|access-date=October 7, 2023|website=Jenzer Motorsport|language=en}} Esterson also partook in the Macau Grand Prix with Jenzer.{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=October 25, 2023|title=Two-time winner Ticktum headlines 2023 Macau GP entry list|url=https://formulascout.com/two-time-winner-ticktum-headlines-2023-macau-gp-entry-list/112654|access-date=October 25, 2023|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}}

In 2024, Esterson joined FIA Formula 3 on a full-time basis, teaming up with Jenzer Motorsport.{{Cite web|title=Max Esterson joins Jenzer Motorsport for 2024 campaign|date=January 17, 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/7Ih20UgIwoytOGKz9eRbDv/max-esterson-joins-jenzer-motorsport-for-2024-campaign|access-date=January 17, 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Esterson pleased with unexpected points finish in Sakhir Sprint|date=March 1, 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/4fUguXRbrWiXmQvBiKWWnZ/esterson-pleased-with-unexpected-points-finish-in-sakhir-sprint|access-date=March 5, 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} Esterson would only claim one more points finish in 2024, taking seventh in the Spa-Francorchamps feature race, but impressed at Silverstone by qualifying second during a wet-weather session.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Dan |date=2024-07-28 |title=Voisin bags maiden win in stop/start Belgian F3 Feature race |url=https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/28/voisin-bags-maiden-win-in-stop-start-belgian-f3-feature-race/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Motorsport Week |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Alejandro Alonso |date=2024-07-06 |title=Silverstone experience "the big thing" for Esterson's F3 front row |url=https://formulascout.com/silverstone-experience-the-big-thing-for-estersons-f3-front-row/120977#:~:text=Max%20Esterson%20was%20second%20fastest,F3%20qualifying%20result%20so%20far. |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}} He finished 21st in the standings, highest of all Jenzer drivers.{{Cite web |title=2024 FIA F3 Standings and Results |url=https://www.autosport.com/fia-f3/standings/2024/ |access-date=5 December 2024 |website=autosport.com}}

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.{{Cite web|title=Max Esterson to finish 2024 season with Trident|date=11 November 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula2.com/Latest/4ne99butESP8ulyZT5gZOz/max-esterson-to-finish-2024-season-with-trident|access-date=12 November 2024|website=FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website|language=en}}

Esterson is set to continue with Trident for the 2025 Formula 2 season.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=2024-12-04 |title=Max Esterson to continue with in F2 with Trident in 2025 |url=https://formulascout.com/max-esterson-to-continue-with-in-f2-with-trident-in-2025/126251 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

Esterson grew up in New York City going to the Allen-Stevenson School and attended Regis High School, graduating in 2021.{{Cite web |title=FRP's F1600 driver - Max Esterson - gets recognition in the WSJ as a sim racer and coach |url=https://www.racefrp.com/news/frps-f1600-driver-max-esterson-gets-recognition-in-the-wsj-as-a-sim-racer-and-coach |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=www.racefrp.com |language=en}}

{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.

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

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

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

{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.maxesterson.com/}}
• {{DriverDB driver|id=max-esterson|name=Max Esterson}}

{{FIA Formula 2 Championship teams}}

{{Trident}}

{{Carlin Motorsport}}

{{Jenzer Motorsport}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Esterson, Max}}

Category:Living people

Category:2002 births

Category:Racing drivers from New York City

Category:Regis High School (New York City) alumni

Category:Formula Ford drivers

Category:Team Pelfrey drivers

Category:Fortec Motorsport drivers

Category:FIA Formula 3 Championship drivers

Category:Carlin racing drivers

Category:Jenzer Motorsport drivers

Category:Rodin Motorsport drivers

Category:FIA Formula 2 Championship drivers

Category:Trident Racing drivers

Category:BRDC British Formula 3 Championship drivers

Category:21st-century American sportsmen