Max Esterson to finish 2024 season with Trident

Trident have confirmed that Max Esterson will drive for the team for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 2 campaign. The American driver steps up from Formula 3 and replaces Richard Verschoor for the Lusail and Yas Marina Rounds.

Esterson made his full-time Formula 3 debut this year with Jenzer Motorsport, securing a front row start at Silverstone as well as two points-scoring results across the season.

Prior to F3, Esterson began his racing career on iRacing, before making the switch to Formula Ford in the UK and winning the Formula Ford Festival in 2022. Speaking about his step up to Formula 2, Esterson said he was happy to be making his debut this year and was grateful to Trident for the opportunity.

“It’s great to be making the step up to Formula 2, even if it’s a little sooner than I had imagined,” he said. “Just two years ago I was running a Formula Ford and winning the FF Festival, and now I’m about to make my debut in Formula 2.

“It’s all happened quickly but the people closest to me are all confident about my ability to successfully make the jump. I’ve been working hard with the team at Trident and feel I’m well prepared and ready to go. I want to give a special thanks to Maurizio Salvadori and Giacomo Ricci for making this happen, and to the rest of the Trident team for making me feel so welcome.”

Trident Team Manager Giacomo Ricci added: “We are excited to finally be working with Max in a race situation. We first met him over two years ago when he was still driving Formula Fords and have closely followed his progress since then.

“He had some very strong outings this year in FIA Formula 3, his first year in international competition, especially as he was with one of the smallest teams, and on circuits which were almost all new to him. He is smart and has a mature, calm personality; he is hard working, and while he has already shown great pace, he is only in his fourth full year of racing and still learning – so we’re excited to see his progress this year.”