| Age | 28 years |
| Date of birth | 30 September 1997 |
| Height, weight | 181 cm / 72 kg |
| Place of birth | Hasselt, Belgium |
| Citizenship | Netherlands / Belgium |
| Position | Formula 1 driver |
| Team | Red Bull Racing |
| Number | 1 (previously 33, from 2026 — 3) |
| With team since | 2016 |
| Contract until | 2028 |
| Contract extensions | 2022 (long-term extension until 2028) |
| Market value | ~€200–250 million (estimated, as a top F1 driver) |
| Eye color | blue |
| Agent | Raymond Vermeulen |
Biography of Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen was born into a family deeply connected to motorsport: his father Jos Verstappen competed in Formula 1, and his mother Sophie Kumpen was a successful kart racer. From an early age, he was immersed in a professional racing environment, which directly influenced his development as a driver. After his parents divorced, Max lived with his father, who effectively became his main mentor and coach.
From a young age, he combined education with constant travel across Europe for competitions. He received less formal education than most of his peers, as the main focus was on building a career in motorsport. This approach allowed him to accelerate his progress significantly and compete with the best young drivers in the world already as a teenager.
Early career (karting and junior series)
Verstappen began competing in karting at the age of four and quickly started dominating at the national level. By 2013, he had one of the most outstanding seasons in karting history, winning multiple championships, including the world championship and two European titles. This result is considered a unique achievement for such a young driver.
In 2014, he moved to Formula 3, where he immediately made a name for himself as a phenomenon: he secured 10 wins in a season and finished third in the championship despite being a rookie. His aggressive driving style and speed attracted the attention of top teams, and he joined the Red Bull Junior Team program.
Formula 1 career
Toro Rosso (2015–2016)
Max made his Formula 1 debut at the age of 17, becoming the youngest driver in the history of the championship. Already in his second Grand Prix, he scored points, demonstrating maturity and speed uncommon for a debutant.
Red Bull Racing (since 2016)
In 2016, he was promoted to the main Red Bull team and won his very first Grand Prix (Spain), becoming the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history. This instantly cemented his status as a superstar.
In 2019–2020, Verstappen consistently fought for podiums and finished third in the championship twice in a row, establishing himself as the main challenger to the top teams.
Era of dominance
- 2021 — first title (dramatic victory over Lewis Hamilton)
- 2022 — successful title defense
- 2023 — record-breaking season (19 wins)
- 2024 — fourth consecutive title
He became the first world champion from the Netherlands and one of the most dominant drivers in the history of the sport.
Recent seasons
In 2025, he finished second in the championship in a tight battle with Lando Norris. In the 2026 season, he faced car performance issues and even hinted at a possible retirement in the future.
Max Verstappen's personal life
Max Emilian Verstappen is in a relationship with Kelly Piquet, the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet. Max Verstappen actively spends time off the track, enjoys sim racing, and often participates in high-level virtual races.
Max Emilian Verstappen is known for being private in the media space and prefers to focus on his career, avoiding excessive attention to his personal life.
Interesting facts about Max Verstappen
- Max Emilian Verstappen became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history and the youngest race winner.
- Max Verstappen also set the record for the most wins in a single season, which is considered one of the greatest achievements in championship history.
- Max Emilian Verstappen is known for his love of simulators and regularly trains outside real tracks, which helps him improve his driving skills.
Max Verstappen statistics
Formula 1 (as of 2026)
- Races: 300+
- Wins: 71
- Podiums: 127
- Poles: 48
- Fastest laps: 37
- World championships: 4 (2021–2024)
Best achievements
- Record for wins in a season — 19
- Record for consecutive wins — 10
- Record for points in a season — 575
- Youngest Grand Prix winner
Achievements and awards
- 4× Formula 1 World Champion
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (2022)
- Time 100 (2024)
- Multiple-time Driver of the Year (Autosport Awards)
- Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
Racing profile
Max Verstappen is considered one of the fastest and most versatile drivers in Formula 1 history. His style combines aggression, an intuitive feel for the car, and exceptional consistency. He is capable of winning races even without the best car, which was especially evident in the 2024 season.
His key qualities:
- exceptional one-lap speed
- aggressive but controlled racing
- ability to adapt to any conditions
- dominance over teammates
Many experts and world champions consider him the fastest driver of his generation and one of the greatest in motorsport history.
Controversies involving Max Verstappen
Max Emilian Verstappen has repeatedly been in the spotlight due to his aggressive driving style. Early in his career, Max Verstappen was often criticized for risky maneuvers and collisions with rivals.
Max Emilian Verstappen is especially remembered for his conflicts with Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 season, which were accompanied by crashes and controversial steward decisions. Despite the criticism, Max Verstappen has maintained his status as one of the strongest drivers in the world.
