After a successful karting career, the 20-year-old driver from Harrogate moved to cars in 2021, competing in the Ginetta Junior Series before competing for one season in British F4. A move to endurance racing proved to be the turning point for Dodds, winning the LES title in 2025 with ANS Motorsport and his French teammate Iko Segret. They secured three wins in Barcelona, Le Castellet and Portimao, with five further podiums, including a third place in race 1 at Silverstone last year.
In 2026 Dodds has moved up to the highly competitive LMP3 class in the Michelin Le Mans Cup with ANS Motorsport, with the British driver securing his first pole position and podium finish at Spa-Francorchamps.
We caught up with Maxwell Dodds as he prepares for his home race at Silverstone.
Q: You won the Ligier European Series JS P4 title last year. How important the 2025 season in preparing you for your debut in the Michelin Le Mans Cup?
Maxwell Dodds: “It was a huge part of being prepared for this season. P4 set me up with so many things, a first understanding of endurance racing, introducing myself to the paddock, learning new tracks and much more.
“Throughout each weekend I knew I wasn’t just racing for that race but for a new stage of my career. It was to learn a new style of racing, the pitstops, fuel and tyre management, just all different aspects of racing that I didn’t experience in single seaters. The championship was of course a huge bonus and the prize money really helped propel me into the 2026 season, but the main thing I knew is that I was in a paddock where I could show what I was capable of.”
Q: How would you sum up the season so far? What are the positives you’ve taken away from the first four races and what lessons are you taking forward into the next event at Silverstone?
MD: “It’s been a difficult one, things haven’t really been going our way, being involved in an incident in Barcelona after having strong pace, was a tricky one to take. Then in Paul Ricard, managing to build a 10 second lead, but having to pit due to damage was another tough pill to swallow, when it was 100% a deserved win.
“Le Mans an issue in qualifying meant we were starting near the back and even after having some great pace, timings of our pitstops didn’t help at all. Then Spa seems to be the turning point for our season, a record-breaking pole position and a P3 is no less than we’ve deserved all year and hoping that this can continue.
“We know at every weekend we’ve been quick enough to get podiums and wins; things just haven’t lined up for us. We know now going into Silverstone, that the pace once again will be there, and in tricky conditions we can be fastest, and Britain in September, anything can happen.”
Q: Tell us more about your team, ANS Motorsport, and your teammate Louis Iglesias.
MD: “ANS have been incredible since I joined them during the backend of 2024. After a tough season in British F4, they welcomed me in open arms and had faith in my abilities. After working hard all winter, and continuing to do so throughout the season, winning the championship was an incredible feeling, and something we all had earned.
“Coming into 2026, it was a no brainer to continue with the team, and even with less resources than many of the other teams around, as a small family run team, they’ve managed to help me and Louis be at the front in all the races, a podium and 2 pole positions, it’s incredible what they’ve put together. Louis has been so fast all season, stepping straight into P3, and his performance at Paul Ricard was amazing.
“Of course, we both have a lot of things to still learn but I think as a partnership we have been strong and can finish the season on a high. We have learnt a lot working together and push each other to really maximise our performances.”
Q: Silverstone is your home race. What are your thoughts on the circuit, and do you have a favourite corner or sequence that you are looking forward to tackling in the Ligier JS P325-Toyota?
MD: “Of course, being my home race I’m going to have a bias. I’m extremely excited to be driving there again and is a place I will always have a connection too and seemingly perform well at too. I love the track in all conditions, and I think after the performances of Spa, both dry and wet would be something I think we can do well in.
“Driving through Maggots and Becketts in the P3, will be an incredible feeling. In the P4 it’s something that was tricky at high speed, so going even quicker will really test all the drivers and is something I’m looking forward to tackle.”
Q: What would you consider to be a good result at Silverstone?
MD: “It’s a difficult thing to say, as all year the results have been very up and down, so of course we want to maintain the consistency of Spa. I would love to take our first win at home, and for Louis to just miss out in Le Castellet, it would be nice to get back for my home race. I think in a realistic manner, another podium we could be happy with, but we will be pushing for the win with all we’ve got.”
Q: Tell us a bit more about Maxwell Dodds. What do you like to do when you are not racing? Do you play any sports or have any hobbies?
MD: “Outside of racing I think I’m a normal guy. I’ve got a full-time job for a table and flooring company and is something I’m passionate about trying to put effort into as they have been supporting my racing for the past two seasons. To be part of the businesses from its induction, and to help grow that, which will help me, is something that I put a lot of time into.
“I also am passionate about watching and supporting my sister Mila’s golf. Her dream is to be a professional golfer and being part of the Yorkshire squad and preliminary England squad, I love to travel round and take her to as many competitions as possible. She was there for a large part of my early career so to be able to give back is a great feeling.
“Finally, I also love to watch and play football, it’s a big part of my week. I play minimum 3 times a week between 6 a side, 11 a side and training, and is a big part of my fitness plan, so it helps in all aspects. I get to do something I enjoy whilst also keeping myself fit for the racing season.”
Round 5 of the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup will take place at Silverstone on Saturday 12 September.
CLICK HERE to view the event programme.
Tickets for Silverstone are available HERE
MLMC Live Streaming on FIAWEC+ App
The endurance ladder starts here. Watch the Michelin Le Mans Cup live for free on FIAWEC+, with official race coverage, replays and highlights from one of Europe’s most competitive LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3 championships. Watch the Michelin Le Mans Cup live for free on https://plus.fiawec.com/en/michelin-le-mans-cup
