Key Facts:

Scuderia Toro Rosso (2014–2016):

• Verstappen replaced Vergne and became the youngest driver in F1 history at 17 years old
  
  
• Joined Red Bull Junior Team and considered an offer from Mercedes
  
  
• Scored first F1 points in his debut season

Red Bull (2016–present):

• Replaced Kvyat in Red Bull Racing from Spanish GP onwards
  
  
• Youngest F1 winner at 18 years old
  
  
• Criticized for aggressive driving but received awards for overtaking move
  
  
• Finished in top 5 in first 8 races with Red Bull
  
  
• Achieved podium finishes and wins in 2017 and 2018
  
  
• Became World Champion in 2021 and dominated the 2022 season with 15 wins

2023 season:

• Continued with Red Bull and achieved record-breaking win streak
  
  
• Secured Red Bull's sixth Constructors' Championship and won Drivers' Championship

Biography

Max Emilian Verstappen, born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium, Verstappen is a Belgian-Dutch racing driver who has made a significant impact on the sport. He has competed under the Dutch flag for Red Bull Racing and has been crowned the World Champion in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Born into a family with a rich history in motorsports, Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, is a former Formula One driver, and his mother, Sophie Kumpen, is a former go-kart racer. His first cousin once removed, Anthony Kumpen, is a two-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series champion. Despite his Belgian roots, Verstappen chose to compete with a Dutch racing license, stating that he "feels more Dutch" due to spending more time with his father and being surrounded by Dutch people during his upbringing.

Verstappen's journey to becoming a Formula One champion began with a successful run in karting and single-seater categories, including the FIA European Formula 3, where he broke several records. His talent and determination led him to become the youngest driver to compete in Formula One at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, aged just 17 years and 166 days.

After spending the 2015 season with Scuderia Toro Rosso, Verstappen started his 2016 campaign with the Italian team. However, after just four races, he was promoted to the parent team, Red Bull Racing, as a replacement for Daniil Kvyat. This promotion proved to be a turning point in his career. At the age of 18, he won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix on his debut for Red Bull Racing, becoming the youngest-ever driver and the first Dutch driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.

Verstappen's career continued to soar, and he won ten Grands Prix during the 2021 season. This led him to become the Formula One World Drivers' Champion for the first time, making him the first Dutch driver and the 34th driver overall to achieve this feat. He continued his winning streak by securing the Formula One championships in 2022 and 2023. As of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen has had 55 victories, 33 pole positions, and 31 fastest laps. In addition to being the youngest Grand Prix winner, he holds several Formula One records, including the most wins in a season and the most consecutive wins.

Off the track, Verstappen leads a private life. He moved to Monaco in October 2015, a day after obtaining his road driving license on his 18th birthday. He is a fan of sim racing and is a member of Team Redline, a multinational sim racing team. He is also a supporter of FC Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven. Verstappen is multilingual, speaking Dutch, English, and German, the latter of which he learned while karting with Michael Schumacher. In recognition of his racing achievements, he was made an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in September 2022.

Verstappen's success in Formula One is a testament to his talent, determination, and hard work. His journey from a young karting enthusiast to a three-time Formula One World Champion is an inspiration to aspiring racers worldwide. With a contract extension that keeps him at Red Bull until at least the end of the 2028 season, fans can look forward to many more thrilling races and potential victories from this exceptional driver.