Biography of Max V… read more
Max Emilian Verstappen is a Belgian-Dutch motor racing driver and the reigning Formula 1 world champion. Born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium, he competes under Dutch nationality, proudly represented by the massive following of orange-clad fans seen at races worldwide. Despite being only 26 years old, Verstappen has already cemented himself as one of the most dominant drivers in F1 history, winning three consecutive world championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut at just 17 years and 166 days old, becoming the youngest driver to compete in the sport when he raced for Toro Rosso at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. Throughout his rookie season, he impressed with consistent points finishes and bold racing moves, ending the season 12th in the standings and earning rookie of the year honors. His fearless driving style and notable overtakes—such as his move on Felipe Nasr at Spa-Francorchamps—quickly earned him a promotion to the senior Red Bull team in 2016.
In his first race for Red Bull, Verstappen became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner by triumphing at the Spanish Grand Prix. He continued to show promise with six podiums that season and a fifth-place finish in the championship. Over the next few years, Verstappen continued to evolve, securing multiple victories despite occasional setbacks due to mechanical issues and team dynamics, especially in 2018 with teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
By 2019, Verstappen had firmly established himself as Red Bull’s lead driver, finishing third in the championship with three wins. In 2020, although reliability issues hampered his title hopes, he consistently outperformed expectations, finishing third again with two wins. His breakthrough came in 2021, when he engaged in a historic title battle with Lewis Hamilton. In a dramatic season finale, Verstappen clinched his first world title by overtaking Hamilton on the last lap in Abu Dhabi.
The 2022 and 2023 seasons showcased Verstappen’s dominance. In 2022, he won 15 out of 22 races and finished 146 points ahead of Charles Leclerc. He shattered records again in 2023, claiming 19 victories and 21 podiums out of 22 races, finishing with 575 points—more than double that of his nearest rival and teammate, Sergio Perez.
Off the track, Verstappen lives in Monaco and has a reported net worth bolstered by a $70 million annual salary from Red Bull, which includes a $45 million base and $25 million in bonuses. He also earns from sponsorship deals with brands like Electronic Arts, Heineken, and G-Star Raw. His car collection includes models like the Renault Clio, Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante, and Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Verstappen comes from a family deeply rooted in motorsport. His father, Jos Verstappen, was an F1 driver from 1994 to 2003 and played a crucial role in Max’s development. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, also raced competitively, and his sister Victoria Jane is a few years younger. Jos remains a key figure in Max’s racing journey and continues to support him from the Red Bull garage.
Max is also popular on social media, particularly Instagram, where he shares updates on his racing career and glimpses into his personal life with nearly 11 million followers. His helmet design has evolved over the years—from Red Bull’s traditional dark blue to a striking white design with orange accents, which he has retained in recent seasons.
Verstappen’s remarkable journey from teenage prodigy to three-time world champion has already etched his name in the sport’s history books—and with his current trajectory, even greater milestones may lie ahead.
