Max Esterson has set out his targets for his rookie Formula 2 campaign, with the TRIDENT driver looking to consistently qualify inside the top 10 in 2025.

The American driver stepped up the F2 at the end of the 2024 season with the Italian outfit, taking part in the final two rounds in Lusail and Yas Marina.

While Esterson did not score any points, the 22-year-old took plenty from the experience, especially from the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, which will help him hit the ground running this year.

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“I think the Abu Dhabi races were definitely tricky,” said Esterson. “Obviously, myself and also Christian Mansell, we both struggled quite a bit in Qualifying, just getting the car in the window, so we qualified towards the back.

“But at least the Feature Race on Sunday was more promising. I was able to move through the field a little bit. In the first half of the race, we had good pace, but just struggled with the tyres in the second half so it didn't work out.

“But the test was definitely a really good improvement. We made a lot of changes and tried a lot of different things. I think on equal tyres to everyone else on day two, I was P3 in the morning. So that was positive.

Esterson says he learned a lot from the week spent in Abu Dhabi
Esterson says he learned a lot from the week spent in Abu Dhabi

“It was a good step from being 1.7 seconds off in Qualifying on the race weekend, to then on equal footing on day two of the test.

“I was just a few tenths off in third, so that was positive. There’s still some work to do with learning how to manage to tyres and the races, but surely going in the right direction.”

Esterson also used the three days to test the car’s limits in the high-speed sections of the circuit, something he was not able to do during the race weekends.

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His time on track was also useful for the team, who made plenty of setup changes, looking to collect as much data as possible ahead of the new season.

Focus now turns to his and new teammate Sami Meguetounif’s preparations ahead of pre-season testing, with Esterson revealing what his and TRIDENT’s plan for the next few weeks look like.

“So far so good,” said Esterson on working with TRIDENT. “We had to make a lot of changes for sure, so it wasn't straightforward, the test, it wasn't like we were just driving and just focusing on the driving.

Esterson is looking to consistently qualify in the top 10 this year
Esterson is looking to consistently qualify in the top 10 this year

“We had to focus a lot on the car and Sami is also new to it, even more new than me, technically, but he's obviously a strong driver. I think both of us by the time race one comes will be in pretty good shape after the test in Barcelona.

“The team's been good. I mean, we do so much preparation. I’ll be doing a lot of sim at the team, I'm going two or three times before Barcelona. I’m going karting a couple of times as well with the team, and I also have to make a new seat, to make sure I'm fully comfortable.”

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Looking ahead to the full 14 rounds to come, Esterson was asked what he would he like to achieve across each one. He replied: “I think, as a rookie, if I can consistently qualify in the top ten, that should leave me in a good spot.

“Obviously that gets you the reverse grid for the Sprint, and in a good place for the Feature as well to score points. So, I think it's definitely doable and if I can do that, then it would make my life easier as well.”