British F4: Belgian Dries Van Langendonck Champion at 16
The newsroomUpdated on October 11, 20263 minBelgian teenager Dries Van Langendonck, 16, is crowned British F4 champion at Brands Hatch with Rodin Motorsport, thanks to eight wins, with two races still to run.
Key point
Dries Van Langendonck, 16, is the 2026 British F4 champion after finishing second in the first race of the final round at Brands Hatch, with eight wins this season.
Young Belgian Dries Van Langendonck, 16, is the 2026 British F4 champion. He clinched the title on Saturday at Brands Hatch, venue of the tenth and final round, by finishing second in the first race. The crown is his with two races still to run.
A title secured before the season ends
Racing for Rodin Motorsport, Dries Van Langendonck built his season on consistency and eight wins from a total of 25 races, according to F1journaal.be. He won the title in his first season in the category. The series presents him as provisional champion, and nobody can catch him now.
It was not a trouble-free year: in August he had to miss an entire race weekend because of penalty points left over from 2025. That did not stop him from winning by a wide margin.
A leading Belgian prospect
According to F1journaal.be, he is regarded as the biggest Belgian racing talent in years. The title puts him in the footsteps of Lando Norris, who won British F4 in 2015.
Dries Van Langendonck has been part of McLaren's driver development programme since 2024. Since July he has also been backed by Verstappen Racing Group, which handles his management as he climbs towards Formula 1. McLaren boss Zak Brown publicly congratulated him on winning the title in his rookie season.
When that backing was announced, Max Verstappen said he was impressed by the young driver's rapid progress, from karting to his first steps in single-seaters, and convinced he has the full potential to become a great driver. The British title confirms that trajectory.
What he takes from the title
The driver told La DH how happy he is: he simply wanted to enjoy himself, there was little pressure even if he was a bit nervous, and he did not want to take unnecessary risks so he could finish the race. He also praised the work of the whole team throughout the year.
Key takeaways
- Dries Van Langendonck, 16, is 2026 British F4 champion.
- Title sealed at Brands Hatch, two races before the end.
- Eight wins with Rodin Motorsport.
Frequently asked questions
When did Dries Van Langendonck clinch the title?
On Saturday 10 October, in the first race of the tenth and final round at Brands Hatch, where he finished second. The title is secured with two races to go.
Which team does he race for?
Rodin Motorsport. He has also been part of McLaren's driver development programme since 2024 and is managed by Verstappen Racing Group.
Which well-known driver also won British F4?
Lando Norris, champion in 2015, according to F1journaal.be.
Sources
- F1journaal.be — Dries Van Langendonck wins the British F4 title
- La DH — Dries van Langendonck crowned British Formula 4 champion
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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