Max Esterson
Nationality American
 British
via dual nationality
Born (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002
New York City, United States
GB3 Championship career
Debut season2022
Current teamFortec Motorsport
Car number42
Former teamsDouglas Motorsports
Starts47 (48 entries)
Wins1
Podiums3
Poles1
Fastest laps2
Best finish7th in 2022
Previous series
2021
2020
2020		National Formula Ford
F2000 Championship Series
F1600 Championship Series

Maxwell Esterson[1] (born 9 October 2002) is an American racing driver and sim-racer who most recently competed in the GB3 Championship with Fortec Motorsports. He also has competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Rodin Carlin. 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 50 road course drivers 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 full season in karting at Oakway 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 the Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy.[8][9]

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 taken pole. Esterson was then awarded victory as the race was cancelled after a few laps due to torrential weather conditions.[18][19] In the Walter Hayes Trophy Esterson initially finished first but he was then dropped to fifth after receiving a 4.5-second penalty for a collision with Tom Mills.[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 will also partake in the Macau Grand Prix with Jenzer.[37]

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][38]

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

*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 Switzerland 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 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

* Season still in progress.

References

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