Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula 1 racing driver competing for Red Bull Racing who has won four consecutive World Drivers’ Championship titles from 2021 to 2024, becoming one of the sport’s most dominant forces with 69 career Grand Prix victories. Born on 30 September 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, Verstappen holds multiple Formula 1 records including the most wins in a single season with 19 victories in 2023, the most consecutive wins with 10, and the distinction of being the youngest driver to ever compete in Formula 1 at just 17 years old.
Early Life and Racing Heritage
Max Emilian Verstappen was born to former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen and Belgian kart racer Sophie Kumpen, giving him motorsport DNA from both parents. His father Jos competed in Formula 1 for several teams during the 1990s and early 2000s, while his mother Sophie was a successful kart racer who competed against future F1 champions like Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli before retiring in 1996 to focus on raising her children. After his parents separated when Max was young, he lived primarily with his father Jos, while his younger sister Victoria lived with their mother.
Verstappen’s karting career proved exceptional from the start, with his 2013 season becoming record-breaking in the junior formulae. He joined his mother’s former CRG karting team and won three FIA Karting Championships in a single season, an unprecedented achievement that caught the attention of Red Bull’s junior driver program.
Historic Formula 1 Debut
Toro Rosso announced in August 2014 that the then 16-year-old Verstappen would join their team for the 2015 season, making him the youngest driver in Formula 1 history. He shattered the previous record held by Jaime Alguersuari, who was 19 years and 125 days old when he made his F1 debut. Verstappen was only 17 years old when he competed in his first Grand Prix in 2015, skipping Formula 2 entirely to jump directly from Formula 3 to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Franz Tost, then Toro Rosso team principal, described Verstappen as one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation with the necessary maturity and mental strength to handle Formula 1. This faith proved justified as Verstappen quickly demonstrated his exceptional talent and racecraft throughout his rookie season.
Rise to Championship Glory
Verstappen’s breakthrough victory came at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, just his first race after being promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team mid-season. Following this historic win, he reportedly purchased a £323,800 Porsche 911 GT3 RS to celebrate becoming the youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history. Over subsequent seasons, Verstappen consistently improved his performances and race wins, establishing himself as a fierce competitor capable of challenging Mercedes’ dominance.
The 2021 season marked Verstappen’s first World Drivers’ Championship title after an intense season-long battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton that went down to the final lap of the final race. He successfully defended his title in 2022 with 15 wins, then dominated the 2023 season with an unprecedented 19 victories from 22 races, and secured his fourth consecutive championship in 2024 with 9 wins despite facing stronger competition from rival teams.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Verstappen holds numerous Formula 1 records that underscore his exceptional talent and consistency. His 19 wins in the 2023 season broke the previous record of 13 held by both Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. That same season, Red Bull Racing achieved 21 wins from 22 races, setting a new record for the highest team win percentage in F1 history.
His streak of 10 consecutive race victories from the 2023 season stands as another remarkable achievement, while his 8 consecutive pole positions ties the record shared with legendary driver Ayrton Senna. As of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has accumulated 69 career wins, 47 pole positions, 36 fastest laps, and 125 podium finishes across 231 Grand Prix entries, placing him third all-time in both wins and podiums.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Formula 1 season has seen Verstappen finish third in the championship standings with 366 points across 22 races. He secured 6 victories during the season at Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Azerbaijan, United States, and Las Vegas, along with 13 total podium finishes and 7 pole positions. His season included dominant performances punctuated by 21 top-10 finishes and only one retirement at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Despite not clinching a fifth consecutive championship, Verstappen demonstrated his consistent speed and racecraft throughout the season with multiple wins and regular podium appearances. His performances earned him 27 additional points from sprint races, including 2 sprint victories.
Personal Life and Relationships
Verstappen has been in a relationship with Kelly Piquet since 2020, though they made their relationship public in 2021. Kelly, who is nine years older than Max, comes from a racing family herself as the daughter of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet. She was previously in a relationship with Russian F1 driver Daniil Kvyat from 2017 to 2019, with whom she has a daughter named Penelope.
The couple met in Monaco during a group dinner with Kelly’s brother, fellow F1 racer Nelson Piquet Jr., in 2016, though their romantic relationship didn’t develop until several years later. Kelly has been a constant presence supporting Verstappen at races and has witnessed all four of his World Championship victories from 2021 through 2024. Both have expressed interest in having children together, with Kelly stating in a 2022 Vogue Netherlands interview that she would like to have more children.
Sim Racing Passion
Beyond professional racing, Verstappen is an avid sim racing enthusiast who takes virtual racing as seriously as his Formula 1 career. He spends countless hours in his simulator, competing in online races with professional esports drivers, former F1 drivers like Romain Grosjean, and other top-level competitors. Verstappen even founded and races for his own sim racing team called Team Redline.
His dedication to sim racing extends to race weekends, where he ensures complete focus during virtual competitions by closing doors and maintaining that nobody can come within 10 meters of his simulator on race day. Verstappen has stated that racing is not just his job but also his hobby, and he credits his early exposure to sim racing with helping develop the strong foundation for his Formula 1 career. He primarily competes on iRacing but also engages with various other racing simulators and video games during his downtime.
Lifestyle and Assets
Verstappen lives in Monaco’s Fontvieille district, the same area where fellow driver Lewis Hamilton resides. Despite his enormous success and wealth, Verstappen reportedly rents rather than owns his Monaco penthouse, suggesting he may not intend to remain in the principality permanently. His luxury apartment features a purpose-built indoor gym and a balcony with Mediterranean views where he regularly trains, and he’s been photographed enjoying jet skis in Monaco harbour.
His car collection reflects his passion for high-performance vehicles and includes multiple Aston Martins such as the DB11, Vantage, and DBS Superleggera, as well as the rare Aston Martin Valkyrie designed by Red Bull’s Adrian Newey. Verstappen also owns a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet built in 2009, which he uses to travel between races and features a bar inside along with 12 seats, two of which recline into beds.
Financial Success and Earnings
Verstappen is the highest-paid Formula 1 driver on the current grid with an estimated base salary of $65 million per year through his long-term Red Bull contract that runs until 2028. When performance bonuses for wins, podiums, and championships are included, his total annual earnings can reach approximately $75 million or higher during dominant seasons. His net worth as of 2025 is estimated at around $200 to $217 million.
Beyond his Red Bull salary, Verstappen earns additional income through sponsorships, endorsements, and F1 prize money. His financial success places him among the world’s wealthiest athletes, with his earnings significantly exceeding most other drivers on the F1 grid.
Personality and Characteristics
Verstappen is known for his competitive drive, intense focus, and uncompromising approach to racing. He has been described as obsessed with training and pushing both himself and his teammates to achieve peak performance, traits that some perceive as demanding but which have contributed directly to his sustained excellence. Despite being born in Belgium, Verstappen identifies strongly with his Dutch nationality since he spent most of his life in the Netherlands with his father.
The multilingual driver speaks Dutch, English, and German fluently, having learned German from legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who mentored him during his early career development. This linguistic ability allows him to communicate effectively with various team members and media representatives across the international F1 paddock.
Team and Technical Partnerships
Throughout his Formula 1 career, Verstappen has been closely associated with the Red Bull organization. He started with the junior Toro Rosso team in 2015 before being promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team partway through the 2016 season. His partnership with Red Bull has yielded all four of his World Championships and the vast majority of his 69 career victories.
The technical partnership between Red Bull Racing and engine suppliers has evolved over Verstappen’s tenure, with Honda power contributing to his championship successes before Red Bull’s current powertrains arrangement. His collaboration with Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey and the Red Bull engineering team has proven exceptionally successful, producing championship-winning cars from 2021 through 2024.
Legacy and Impact
At just 28 years old as of 2025, Verstappen has already cemented his place among Formula 1’s all-time greats. His four World Championships at such a young age, combined with his record-breaking achievements, position him as potentially one of the sport’s most successful drivers should his career continue at its current trajectory. His 69 career wins place him third all-time, trailing only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
Verstappen’s impact extends beyond statistics, as his aggressive yet calculated racing style and uncompromising competitive spirit have influenced a new generation of drivers. His ability to perform consistently under pressure, combined with his dedication to continuous improvement through both real and virtual racing, sets a new standard for modern Formula 1 drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Max Verstappen and when did he start racing in F1?
Max Verstappen was born on 30 September 1997, making him 28 years old as of 2025. He made his Formula 1 debut in 2015 at just 17 years old with Toro Rosso, becoming the youngest driver in F1 history and breaking the previous record by more than two years.
How many World Championships has Max Verstappen won?
Max Verstappen has won four consecutive Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship titles from 2021 through 2024. He secured his first championship in 2021 after an intense season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton, then dominated the following years with particularly impressive performances in 2022 and 2023.
What is Max Verstappen’s salary and net worth?
Verstappen earns an estimated base salary of $65 million per year from Red Bull Racing, making him the highest-paid F1 driver on the current grid. With performance bonuses, his total annual earnings can reach approximately $75 million, and his estimated net worth as of 2025 is between $200 and $217 million.
Who is Max Verstappen dating?
Max Verstappen has been in a relationship with Kelly Piquet since 2020, though they made their relationship public in 2021. Kelly is the daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet and was previously in a relationship with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, with whom she has a daughter.
What records does Max Verstappen hold in Formula 1?
Verstappen holds multiple F1 records including the most wins in a single season with 19 victories in 2023, the most consecutive race wins with 10, being the youngest driver to compete in F1, and 8 consecutive pole positions tied with Ayrton Senna. He also has 69 career wins, placing him third all-time.
Where does Max Verstappen live?
Verstappen lives in the Fontvieille district of Monaco, where several other F1 drivers also reside including Lewis Hamilton. Despite his wealth, he reportedly rents rather than owns his Monaco penthouse, which features an indoor gym and balcony overlooking the Mediterranean.
What cars does Max Verstappen own?
Verstappen’s impressive car collection includes a Porsche 911 GT3 RS purchased after his first F1 win, multiple Aston Martins including the DB11, Vantage, DBS Superleggera, and the rare Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin Valkyrie. He also owns a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet for traveling between races.
Is Max Verstappen interested in sim racing?
Yes, Verstappen is an extremely passionate sim racer who founded and races for Team Redline, his own sim racing team. He spends countless hours in his simulator competing against professional esports drivers and former F1 drivers, primarily on iRacing, and has stated that racing is both his job and his hobby.
How many races has Max Verstappen won?
As of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has won 69 Formula 1 Grand Prix races across his career, placing him third on the all-time wins list behind Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. He also has 125 podium finishes and 47 pole positions.
What languages does Max Verstappen speak?
Verstappen speaks three languages fluently: Dutch, English, and German. He learned German while being mentored by F1 legend Michael Schumacher during his early career development, and his multilingual abilities help him communicate effectively throughout the international F1 paddock.
Who are Max Verstappen’s parents?
Max’s father is Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver who competed in the sport during the 1990s and early 2000s. His mother is Sophie Kumpen, a Belgian former kart racer who competed against future F1 champions before retiring in 1996 to focus on raising Max and his sister Victoria.
What team does Max Verstappen drive for?
Max Verstappen drives for Red Bull Racing and has been with the Red Bull organization since 2015. He started with their junior team Toro Rosso before being promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team during the 2016 season, where he has remained ever since.
How did Max Verstappen perform in the 2025 F1 season?
In the 2025 season, Verstappen finished third in the championship with 366 points across 22 races. He achieved 6 race victories, 13 podium finishes, and 7 pole positions, with only one retirement at the Austrian Grand Prix demonstrating his consistent performance throughout the season.
What is Max Verstappen’s racing number?
Max Verstappen races with the number 1 on his car, which is reserved for the reigning World Drivers’ Champion. Prior to winning his first championship, he used the number 33, but since claiming the title in 2021, he has displayed the number 1 throughout his championship-winning years.
Does Max Verstappen have any siblings?
Max has a younger sister named Victoria Verstappen who lived with their mother Sophie after their parents separated. He also has three younger half-siblings from his father Jos’s subsequent relationships: a sister from Jos’s second marriage and a brother and sister from his current marriage.
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