Who is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is a Dutch racing driver who competes in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. He won four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024 and holds records as the youngest driver to start and to win a Formula One race.
Early life and background
Verstappen was born in Hasselt, Belgium, in 1997 to former F1 driver Jos Verstappen and kart racer Sophie Kumpen. He started karting very young and had a record-breaking 2013 karting season.
Career highlights
- Formula 3 (2014): went straight from karting to F3 and finished third.
- Toro Rosso (2015): made his F1 debut at 17, the youngest ever.
- Red Bull (2016): won the Spanish Grand Prix on his first race for the team, aged 18.
- First title (2021): beat Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic final race in Abu Dhabi.
- Dominance (2022–2024): won three more titles, setting records for wins in a season.
Major achievements
He has won more than 70 Grands Prix and four championships, and set the record for most wins in a single season.
Expertise
Verstappen is known for aggressive but precise racing, exceptional car control and consistency.
Leadership and impact
His success has brought huge crowds of Dutch fans, the “Orange Army”, to races around the world and helped return the Dutch Grand Prix to the calendar.
Personal touch
Outside F1 he is a keen sim racer and competes in online racing events.
Timeline: key moments
- 1997Born in Hasselt, Belgium
- 2013Record karting season
- 2014Formula 3 debut
- 2015F1 debut at 17
- 2016Wins first race for Red Bull at 18
- 2021First world title
- 2022Second title
- 2023Third title; record season wins
- 2024Fourth title
Max Verstappen rose from karting prodigy to four-time world champion, rewriting Formula One’s record books.
