Red Bull’s Rising Star Fionn McLaughlin Follows in Max Verstappen’s Footsteps with Grand Prix Debut
Red Bull’s driver development program has long been a breeding ground for future motorsport stars, and another young racer is now following in the footsteps of Formula 1’s dominant champion, Max Verstappen. Irish teenager Fionn McLaughlin, one of the most exciting prospects in the Red Bull Junior Team, is set to make his Grand Prix debut at the prestigious FIA F4 Macau Grand Prix this November.
The 17-year-old has already made an impressive mark in his young career. After joining the Red Bull Junior Programme during his early karting years, McLaughlin has risen swiftly through the ranks. His natural speed, composure under pressure, and consistent racecraft helped him capture the British Formula 4 Championship title in 2025 — an incredible achievement considering it was his rookie season in single-seater racing.
With that success under his belt, Red Bull has now confirmed that McLaughlin will step up to Formula 3 in 2026, where he will race for Hitech TGR, a team closely affiliated with the energy drink giant’s driver academy. He will be joined by talented racers Jin Nakamura and Michael Shin, creating one of the most promising young lineups on the junior grid.
Before making his F3 debut, however, McLaughlin will first tackle one of the most demanding street circuits in motorsport — the Macau Grand Prix’s Guia Circuit. Known for its tight corners, fast straights, and unforgiving barriers, the circuit has become a proving ground for emerging stars. Many of today’s top Formula 1 drivers — including Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Valtteri Bottas — have competed in Macau early in their careers.
The FIA F4 Macau Grand Prix, which runs as part of the event’s support programme, will give McLaughlin a valuable opportunity to compete against an international field of talented drivers. Among them is Thomas Bearman, the younger brother of current Haas F1 driver Ollie Bearman, who is himself tipped as a future star of the sport.
For McLaughlin, the upcoming race represents not only a chance to showcase his talent on a global stage but also to emulate his hero, Max Verstappen, who raced at the same event more than a decade ago. In 2014, Verstappen competed in the F3 Macau Grand Prix, aiming to follow in the footsteps of legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, both of whom won the event during their junior careers. Though Verstappen’s weekend was cut short after a qualifying mistake that left him starting from 24th on the grid, the experience proved crucial in shaping his aggressive racing style that would later define his Formula 1 dominance.
Similarly, McLaughlin’s participation in Macau is viewed by Red Bull as an essential step in his development. Competing on such a challenging street circuit demands absolute precision, focus, and bravery — traits that Red Bull values highly in its drivers. A strong performance there could help solidify his reputation as one of the next big names in junior racing.
Speaking about his upcoming debut, McLaughlin expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity: “Racing in Macau has always been a dream for me. The circuit is legendary, and so many incredible drivers have raced there before. I know it’s going to be tough, but I can’t wait to take on the challenge and learn as much as I can.”
Fans and insiders alike will be keeping a close eye on the Irish teenager as he takes to the streets of Macau. With Red Bull’s backing, a championship-winning rookie season behind him, and the same fearless attitude that defines Verstappen, Fionn McLaughlin looks poised to make a serious impression on the international stage.
As the motorsport world turns its attention to the Macau Grand Prix in November, all eyes will be on this new Red Bull prodigy — a driver whose journey is only just beginning, but whose ambition mirrors that of the champions who came before him. If his rapid rise so far is any indication, McLaughlin could very well be Red Bull’s next superstar in the making.
