Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is a driver competing in Formula One with Red Bull Racing under the Dutch flag. Born of Belgian-Dutch parents, at the age of 16 years 176 days he became the youngest driver to participate in a Formula One race.

Max Emilian Verstappen was born on 30 September 1997 to Jos Verstappen, a former Dutch Formula One driver, and Sophie Kumpen, a Belgian karting competitor. Although born in Belgium, Max spent the best part of his childhood with his father because of his racing activities.

Verstappen crossed the border into the Netherlands during the day and began karting at the age of 4 under his father’s mentorship. He raced under a Dutch license because he admitted that he was raised like a Dutch person and that was how he felt he should race.

Max Verstappen’s family has a long-standing relationship with motorsports racing. His father Joe Verstappen was a Formula One driver while his mother Sophie Kumpen competed in kart racing. His cousin once removed, Anthony Kumpen competed in endurance racing and is two time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion. He is currently the team manager for PK Carsport in the Euro Series.

Max Verstappen’s Career Before Formula One

Karting; 2006-2013

Having begun karting by the age of 4 years, Max Verstappen competed in the Mini Junior Championship in his home province of Limburg, Belgium. He took part in the Rotax Max Minimax class in 2006 and won the Belgian Championship.

Verstappen’s father entered him in the CRG kart racing where he won both the Dutch and Belgian Minimax championships and the Belgian Cadet Championship. In 2009 Verstappen joined Pex Racing, a CRG customer team. With them, he won the Flemish Minimax championship and the Belgian KF5 championship.

In 2010, Verstappen was invited to join the CRG factory team and compete in the European and World Championships. In his first foray in international karting, Verstappen finished second to the Brit, Alexander Albon in the KF3 World Cup.

Verstappen won the Euroseries beating Albon who would eventually join him as a partner at Red Bull Racing in Formula One. In the WSK World Series, Verstappen beat Robert Visoiu and won the championship.

Still competing with CRG, Verstappen won the Euro Series in a Parilla powered CRG kart in 2011. In 2012, Verstappen joined the Intrepid Driver program to compete in the KF2 and KZ2 classes. In the KF2 WSK Master Series, Verstappen beat Felice Tiene to win the championship. He also won the South Garda Winter Cup in the KF2 class beating Dennis Olson and Antonio Fuoco.

At the end of 2012, Verstappen left Intrepid and decided to race the CRG-built Zanardi karts. With the CRG factory team, he competed in the SKUSA Super Nationals in the KF2 class and finished 23rd in 2013.

In 2013 he also won the European KF and KZ championships. When he won the 2013 World KZ Championship at Varennes-sur-Allier in France, Verstappen was just 15 years old. He had won the championship in the KZ1 class, the highest class in karting.

Formula Renault and Formula Three (2013-2014)

Testing

Verstappen did not spend much time racing single-seated racing motor cars before he graduated to Formula One. He was sixteen years old when he had his first experience driving a racing car in October 2013.

At Pembrey Circuit he tested a Barazi-Epsilon Formula Renault car, driving it for 16 laps. In December that same year, he tested a Dallara Formula 3 car run by Motopark Academy. He tested another Formula Renault car at Circuito de Perez.

At Circuit de Ricardo Tormo near Valencia, driving for Joseph Kaufmann Racing, Verstappen set a faster time than most of the experienced drivers like Eddie Cheever III and Tatiana Calderón. Verstappen went through Formula Renault faster than regular drivers of the time.

Florida Winter Series

In January 2014, Verstappen let it be known that he would compete in the Florida Winter Series. In February, Verstappen started from pole and won at the Palm Beach International Raceway, recording his first Formula victory.

In February that year, Verstappen won his second Formula race when he beat Nicholas Latifi by 0.004 seconds at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Having made his mark in Formula racing, Verstappen was invited to race in Formula 3 by Van Amersfoort Racing.

Formula Three

Racing for Van Amersfoort Racing in 2014, Verstappen finished the 2014 Formula 3 season in third place. He was preceded by champion Esteban Ocon and runner-up Tom Blomqvist. Verstappen had won 10 races that Formula 3 season.

Max Verstappen’s Career In Formula One

Scuderia Toro Rosso (2014-2016)

In August 2014. Max Verstappen tested a Formula Renault 3.5 car and joined the Red Bull Junior Team. He also had an offer from Mercedes for their driver development programme. Scuderia Torro Rosso confirmed just six days later that Verstappen will be one of their drivers for the 2015 season.

Verstappen’s partner was to be Carlos Sainz Jr, as Daniil Kvyat was promoted to Red Bull Racing. Verstappen promptly opted for 33 as his race number. He participated in the first free practice testing at the Japanese Grand Prix and became the youngest ever driver to participate in a Grand Prix weekend.

In January 2015, the FIA changed the system for issuing a super licence by raising the age limit to 18 from 2016. Verstappen became the youngest driver in the World Championship race when he raced in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix at the age of 17 years and 166 days.

In his first race in Australia, Verstappen was forced to retire from a point’s position due to Engine problems. Verstappen qualified sixth in the ensuing Malaysian Grand Prix and finished 7th. He thus became the youngest full-time driver to score in Formula One at 17 years, 180 days.

He had Engine problems in China, electrical problems in Bahrain and finished 11th in Spain. At the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen was involved in a high-speed collision with Romain Grosjean and was awarded a five-place grid penalty for causing the accident.

Verstappen thereafter regularly finished with points. His best finishes in 4th place came at the Hungarian and the United States Grands Prix. He received the Rookie of the Year, Personality of the Year and Action of the Year  (for his overtaking Felipe Nasr in Belgium) awards at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony.

In 2016, Verstappen, driving for Torro Rosso, qualified 5th in the inaugural Australian Grand Prix. After being frustrated with his teammate Sainz blocking him, he clipped Sainz before attempting to pass him and ended up finishing seventh.

However, Verstappen finished sixth at the race at Bahrain the following weekend, scoring the first points that Torro Rosso ever scored at the Sakhir circuit. Red Bull decided to replace Daniil Kvyat with Verstappen for the Spanish Grand Prix on 5 May 2016.

Red Bull Racing (2016 – present)

Verstappen qualified fourth at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix and rose to the second position after Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg crashed out. Daniel Ricciardo, his teammate held the lead but stopped for a pit stop and handed the lead to Verstappen.

Verstappen stubbornly held off Kimi Räikkönen of Ferrari to win his first Formula One victory. He became the youngest driver to score a Formula One Grand Prix victory at 18 years and 228 days of age, relieving Sebastian Vettel of the record.

Verstappen finished his first eight races with Red Bull with 6 top-five finishes which included four podiums. During the Belgian Grand Prix, Verstappen was involved in several incidents. At the first corner, he collided with Räikkönen and pushed Räikkönen, Vettel and Pérez wide at Les Combes.

He followed all this up by aggressively blocking Räikkönen on the Kemmel straight. Many F1 drivers protested against Verstappen’s aggressive driving. The F1 director gave Verstappen a gentle warning and the FIA later disallowed moving while braking.

At a rain-affected 2016 Brazillian Grand Prix, Verstappen started from fourth on the grid and spun along the main straight. Relegated to the 18th place after a change of tires with 15 laps to go, Verstappen passed several cars and finished the race in the third position earning accolades for his driving.

Verstappen was forced to retire in seven of the first 14 races in the 2017 season either due to mechanical problems or because of collisions. Of the seven races that he finished, he earned third place in China and finished either fourth or fifth in five others.

In a surge of success, Verstappen won the Malaysian Grand Prix and finished second in the Japanese Grand Prix. He finished third in the United States Grand Prix but was demoted to fifth because he had cut the corner when passing Vettel in the final lap.

Verstappen won his third Formula One race just aged 20 at the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix passing Sebastian Vettel on the opening lap and holding his position till the finish. Max Verstappen finished the 2017 Formula One season in sixth place.

At the start of the 2018 Formula One season, Verstappen was involved with at least one incident in the first six races. He recovered enough in Australia after going wide to finish in sixth place.

Verstappen crashed twice in Bahrain, first during qualifying and with Hamilton during the race and later retired. He collided with Vettel and finished fourth in China despite earning penalty time.

Verstappen recovered in Spain finishing third but had run into the back of Lance Strolls car. He collided with his teammate after a long battle in Azerbaijan. Both the teammates were retired.

In Monaco, Verstappen crashed severely during free practice and the Red Bull team could not repair his car in time for qualifying. Starting last on a track which is notorious for the difficulty in overtaking, he overtook six cars to finish 9th and salvage 2 points.

Verstappen started third on the grid and finished 3rd in the Canadian Grand Prix. He followed it up with a second finish in France. At his home circuit in Austria, Verstappen won the fourth Grand Prix race of his career.

In Britain, Verstappen was forced to retire with gearbox problems and a crash during qualifications. He finished fourth in Germany and retired in Hungary ending the first half of the season just behind his teammate.

In a very good second half of the season, Verstappen earned podium finishes in Belgium, Singapore, Japan and USA. He won the Mexico Grand Prix, his fifth career F1 victory, and finished second after colliding with Ocon in Brazil. He finished 3rd in Abu Dhabi and ended the season in fourth place.

In the 2019 season, Verstappen was joined by Pierre Gassly (Carlos Sainz was relegated to Torro Rosso) even as Red Bull switched to Honda engines. He started the season by finishing third in Australia and finished fourth in Bahrain because a late safety prevented him from finishing third.

Verstappen earned 4th places in China and Japan and finished third in Spain. In Monaco, he was released in the path of Sebastian Vettel after a pit stop. The mistake cost him two places and he was demoted from second place to fourth.

In Canada, Verstappen finished fifth while he started and finished fourth in France. Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix and finished fifth in Britain after he was hit from behind by Vettel while in the third position.

Verstappen won the second race of the season on a wet German track. In Hungary, he was overtaken by Hamilton during the closing laps after leading for most of the race and ended up second.

In the second half of the season, Alexander Albon joined Verstappen at Red Bull. In Belgium, Verstappen collided with Räikkönen and retired. In Italy, he started at the back of the grid because of an engine component penalty but recovered to finish 8th.

Singapore and Russia saw Verstappen finishing 3rd and 4th respectively while he retired in Japan, colliding with Charles Leclerc. In Mexico, Verstappen earned a grid penalty and suffered a puncture during the race, but recovered sufficiently to finish 6th.

A third place in the USA was followed by Verstappen’s third victory of the season in Brazil. With a 2nd place finish in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen finished the 2019 season in a commendable third place.

The 2020 Formula One season was first postponed and then curtailed because of the Covid pandemic. Max Verstappen drove remarkably well in the 17 race season to finish the 2020 Formula One season third with 189 points behind Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

He won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone and earned nine more podium places, six of which were second finishes in 2020. Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull Racing which ensures that he will race with the team till 2023.

2021

In 2021 Verstappen claimed his maiden F1 championship by winning the final race of 2021, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in controversial fashion after a late safety car period saw the field bunched up with the lapped cars between then-race leader and Verstappen allowed to unlap themselves.

With Verstappen on new soft tyres and Hamilton on older hard tyres, the Dutchman was able to pass the Mercedes driver early in the final lap, taking an emotional victory that delivered the F1 title.

Season Overview

The 2021 season was one of the most closely contested in recent Formula 1 history, with Verstappen and Hamilton trading wins and the championship lead throughout the year. Verstappen’s performance was a key factor in Red Bull’s challenge to Mercedes’ dominance, with the Dutch driver consistently extracting the maximum from his car.

Key Highlights and Results

• Bahrain Grand Prix: The season opener set the tone for the championship battle, with Verstappen finishing second to Hamilton in a nail-biting finish.
• Monaco Grand Prix: Verstappen took a commanding victory, his first in Monaco, capitalizing on a rare mistake from Mercedes in qualifying that saw Hamilton finish seventh.
• French Grand Prix: A strategic masterclass and Verstappen’s relentless pace saw him overtake Hamilton on the penultimate lap to win the race.
• Austrian Grand Prix: Verstappen dominated the weekend, securing pole position, leading every lap, and setting the fastest lap to win the race.
• British Grand Prix: A controversial first-lap collision with Hamilton led to Verstappen crashing out of the race, highlighting the intensity of the championship fight.
• Hungarian Grand Prix: Verstappen’s car was damaged in a first-lap melee caused by Valtteri Bottas, significantly affecting his race pace and resulting in a ninth-place finish.
• Belgian Grand Prix: Awarded victory in a rain-affected race that saw only a few laps behind the safety car, with no competitive racing due to the weather conditions.
• United States Grand Prix: A strategic gamble on pit stops allowed Verstappen to hold off a charging Hamilton and take a crucial victory in the championship battle.
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The season finale was a winner-takes-all showdown. A late-race safety car and a controversial restart saw Verstappen overtake Hamilton on the last lap to win the race and secure his first World Championship.

Challenges

Verstappen faced numerous challenges throughout the season, including on-track collisions, strategic decisions, and the immense pressure of competing against a seven-time World Champion. Despite this, his focus, speed, and determination never wavered.

Season Conclusion

Verstappen’s 2021 season was a showcase of his evolution into a complete driver capable of winning the World Championship. His tenacity, skill, and the ability to perform under pressure were instrumental in ending Mercedes’ seven-year dominance and securing his place in Formula 1 history.

The 2021 season solidified Verstappen’s status as one of the sport’s top drivers, setting the stage for future battles and potential championships. His victory was not just a personal triumph but also a significant achievement for Red Bull Racing, reigniting the competitive spirit within Formula 1.

2022

Max Verstappen’s 2022 Formula 1 season was a masterclass in dominance and consistency, as he clinched his second World Championship with Red Bull Racing. Building on the momentum of his dramatic 2021 title victory, Verstappen and Red Bull capitalized on the new technical regulations introduced in 2022 to set new standards of performance.

Season Overview

The 2022 season saw the introduction of sweeping technical changes aimed at improving racing and allowing cars to follow each other more closely. Verstappen adapted quickly to the new regulations, showcasing his exceptional talent and the strength of the Red Bull RB18. Throughout the season, Verstappen’s performances were a blend of strategic brilliance, raw speed, and an unyielding competitive spirit.

Key Highlights and Results

• Early Season: Verstappen’s campaign began with mixed results, including a retirement in Bahrain due to a fuel system issue. However, he quickly rebounded, winning several races in the first half of the season and establishing a significant lead in the championship standings.
• Mid-Season Dominance: As the season progressed, Verstappen’s dominance became increasingly evident. He secured multiple consecutive victories, including standout performances at iconic circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, where his skill in mixed conditions and strategic races shone through.
• Record-Breaking Wins: Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of victory saw him breaking records, including the most wins in a single season. His ability to extract performance from the RB18, even on tracks that traditionally hadn’t favored Red Bull, underscored his and the team’s mastery of the 2022 regulations.
• Second World Championship: Verstappen clinched his second World Championship with races to spare, a testament to his and Red Bull’s superiority throughout the year. His title victory was marked by a maturity and composure that had evolved significantly since his first championship win.

Challenges

Despite the overwhelming success, the 2022 season was not without its challenges for Verstappen. Early reliability issues and intense battles with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, in particular, tested Verstappen’s resolve. However, strategic decisions by Red Bull, combined with Verstappen’s on-track prowess, allowed them to overcome these hurdles effectively.

Season Conclusion

Max Verstappen’s 2022 season was one of historical significance, not just for the records broken but for the manner in which he secured his second World Championship. His performances throughout the year showcased a driver at the peak of his abilities, combining speed, strategic acumen, and an unquenchable thirst for victory.

The season further solidified Verstappen’s status as the leading figure in Formula 1’s new generation, setting the stage for continued success and potentially more championships in the future. With Red Bull Racing providing a car capable of challenging at the front, Verstappen’s 2022 campaign will be remembered as a defining moment in his career and in the sport’s history.

2023

Max Verstappen’s 2023 Formula 1 season with Red Bull Racing, alongside teammate Sergio Pérez, was nothing short of historic, as he continued to redefine the boundaries of the sport with his extraordinary performances. Throughout the season, Verstappen achieved consistently high results, setting several Formula One records that underscored his dominance and the competitive edge of the Red Bull team under the new technical regulations.

Season Highlights:

• Record-Breaking Wins: Verstappen’s victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix was a landmark achievement, setting a new record for the most consecutive wins by a constructor at twelve, surpassing McLaren’s 1988 record. He further etched his name in the history books at the Italian Grand Prix with his tenth consecutive win, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record of nine consecutive victories.
• Grand Slam at the Spanish Grand Prix: Among his string of victories, Verstappen’s performance in Spain stood out as he achieved a grand slam, dominating the weekend by securing pole position, leading every lap, recording the fastest lap, and winning the race.
• A Brief Setback: The Singapore Grand Prix saw Verstappen’s streak of consecutive wins come to an end as he finished fifth, highlighting the competitive nature of Formula 1 and the challenges even the most dominant drivers face.
• Securing the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships: Verstappen’s pole position and race win in Suzuka not only secured Red Bull Racing its sixth Constructors’ Championship title but also clinched his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship during the sprint for the Qatar Grand Prix. This victory placed him among the legends of the sport, joining the ranks of drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Nelson Piquet, who have won championships on a Saturday.

Challenges and Resilience:

Despite the overwhelming success, Verstappen’s season was not without its challenges. A brief slump in Singapore tested the team’s strategy and Verstappen’s resilience. However, his ability to bounce back and continue his winning ways in subsequent races demonstrated the hallmark of a champion.

Season Conclusion:

Max Verstappen’s 2023 season was a showcase of his exceptional talent, relentless pursuit of excellence, and the strategic prowess of Red Bull Racing. His record-setting achievements and the successful defense of his World Championship title not only solidified his status as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history but also set a new benchmark for future generations. As Verstappen continues to compete at the highest level, the Formula 1 world eagerly anticipates what further records and achievements lie ahead for this remarkable talent.

The 2023 season was a testament to Verstappen’s growing legacy in Formula 1, as he and Red Bull Racing continued to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport, thrilling fans and rewriting the record books along the way.

How old was Max Verstappen when he joined F1?

Max Verstappen was 17 years old when he joined Formula 1. He made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2015 with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team.

How much does Max Verstappen make?

As of the 2023 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen’s salary was reported to be around $55 million per year, which includes his base salary from Red Bull Racing plus potential bonuses. However, salaries can vary based on performance, contract negotiations, and other factors, so this figure may change in the future.

What records did Max Verstappen break?

Max Verstappen broke several records during the 2023 Formula 1 season:

1. Most wins in an F1 season: Verstappen achieved a new record by securing nineteen Grand Prix victories in a single season of 22 races (RacingNews365).
2. Biggest championship winning margin: He finished the 2023 season with a gap of 290 points over his teammate and second place finisher Sergio Perez.
3. Most points in a season: Verstappen set a new record for the most points in a single F1 season with 454 points.

These are just a few of the records Max Verstappen set during the 2023 season, solidifying his position as one of the sport’s top competitors.

Max Verstappen has set several other notable records in Formula 1, including:

1. Youngest driver to compete in Formula 1: Verstappen made his debut at the age of 17 years and 166 days.
2. Youngest driver to score points in Formula 1: He scored his first points at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix at the age of 17 years and 180 days.
3. Youngest driver to lead a lap in Formula 1: Achieved during the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix at the age of 17 years and 292 days.
4. Youngest Grand Prix winner: Verstappen won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix at the age of 18 years and 228 days.

Is Max Verstappen an only child?

No, Max Verstappen is not an only child. He has several half-siblings from his father’s side: a sister named Blue Jaye and a brother named Jason Jaxx from Jos Verstappen’s second marriage, and a sister named Mila Faye from another relationship. He also has an older sister named Victoria Jane from his father’s first marriage.

Who did Max Verstappen dad drive for?

Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, drove for several teams during his Formula 1 career, including Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, Stewart, Arrows, and Minardi. He is most notably remembered for his time at Benetton, where he was Michael Schumacher’s teammate in 1994 (Wikipedia: Jos Verstappen).

How many World Championships has Max Verstappen won?

Max Verstappen has won three Formula 1 World Championships. He secured his titles in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons.

Who has the most wins in a Formula 1 season?

Max Verstappen holds the record for the most wins in a Formula 1 season, with 19 victories during the 2023 season.