In Profile: Max Esterson

11 November 2024

Max Esterson’s first season of FIA Formula 3 is done and as we continue to wrap up the 2024 campaign, we asked him a few questions about himself to get to know him even better.

The American driver talks his through his early racing memories, racing heroes, his newfound love of darts and plenty more.

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WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RACING?

“My first racing memory is probably going to the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2006. I was really small, I was four or five and I loved it, the noise, the atmosphere was great, it was such a cool event. Being up close to the cars, I think I even sat in a few cars which obviously as a five-year-old I was thrilled, it was really cool."

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RACING STYLE?

“I think I am generally pretty measured and make moves when I have to and I am smart. I try not to go over the top with the risks and make smart high percentage moves.”

Esterson's first racing memory came attending the 24hrs of Daytona when he was a child

WHO IS YOUR RACING HERO?

“I'd say for bikes, maybe Michael Dunlop, I like bike racing a lot and for cars and F1, I'd say Kimi Raikkonen. He's called the Iceman, he's cool, doesn’t talk a lot, which is like me, and he is super quick.”

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WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST RACING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?

“Probably winning the Formula Ford Festival in 2022, which was great. It was a lot of relief because I nearly won it the year before, I just missed out on it. So, there was a bit of pressure to get it done, so it was really nice.”

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A RACING DRIVER?

“All of it. I just like driving fast, I love the competition of it too, but for me the best part is driving fast cars.”

Esterson is a big fan of darts and plays a lot in his time away from the track

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE TRACK?

“Just the usual. I like going to the gym believe it or not and lately I have been into darts. I have been playing a lot of darts, the new craze in the UK, everyone seems to be getting into it. It's been because of Luke Littler, he has been big, so I love watching it now and playing it, it's entertaining.”

DO YOU HAVE A SECRET TALENT?

“Not really. It's a secret to me too.”

FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE F3 CALENDAR?

“Silverstone. I've been racing in the UK for a bit now, I'm not tired of it yet and I think it's pretty good.”