F1 Drivers 2026 - Max Verstappen
33
Max Verstappen
Max Emilian Verstappen was born on 30 September 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, as the son of Jos Verstappen and Sophie Kumpen. Verstappen has both Dutch and Belgian nationality but drives under a Dutch license.
The beginning of Max Verstappen's career
Verstappen began his karting career at the age of four. He drove in the Mini Junior Championship in his province Limburg (Belgium). In 2006, he became Belgian champion in the Rotax Max Minimax class. In 2007, he won the Dutch title. In 2009 Verstappen joined Team Pex Racing, and won the Flemish minimax championship and the Belgian KF5 championship. In 2010 Verstappen decided to go international. He was contracted by CGR and drove the world and European championships for them. During the KF3-championship, Verstappen ended up second behind Alexander Albon. In 2013 he won the European KF and KZ Championship, and at the age of 15 he won the World Championship in 2013 at Varennes-sur-Allier, France.
The race to F1 for Verstappen
In 2013 he had his first experience in a racing car. This came at the circuit of Pembrey on the 11th of October. During the winter months of 2013, Verstappen drove for several Formula Renault 2.0 teams. In December 2013, Verstappen tested a Dallara F311 Formula 3 car from Motopark. On 16 January 2014, it was announced that Verstappen would make his racing debut in the Florida Winter Series. Verstappen won the races at Palm Beach and Homestead in this championship. After this, he made the switch to Formula 3 and took ten victories for Van Amersfoort Racing. It earned him a third place in the championship.
The debut of Max Verstappen in Formula 1
At the age of 17 he made his Formula 1 debut for Toro Rosso during the first free practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen would also be in action in Austin and Interlagos for the Red Bull junior team. In 2015 he already scored points in his second race, finishing seventh in the Malaysian Grand Prix, after starting from sixth place. With 49 points he finished twelfth in the championship.
The transition to Red Bull
In 2016, he started the season at Toro Rosso, but after the fourth Grand Prix of the year, he got the chance to join Red Bull Racing. Verstappen won his first Grand Prix for his new employer in Spain, breaking the record for the youngest Grand Prix winner.
Problems with Max Verstappen's car
After a solid season of 2016, the car disappointed in 2017. Nevertheless, Verstappen was able to win races in Malaysia and Mexico. In 2018, he had eleven podiums, including two victories, and finished fourth with 249 points in the final standings.
Max Verstappen salary
When Max Verstappen started in Formula 1, his salary was about 500,000 euros a year. Of course, this rose at a rapid pace, when his performance and thus his career also took off. In 2017, his annual salary was already estimated at 2,500,000 euros. Verstappen has now extended his contract with Red Bull Racing and receives a salary of 13,500,000 million euros per year. That's not all, of course, because this is only the basic salary he receives from Red Bull Racing every year. For every point he earns in the championship, he also earns 43,000 euros. In 2018, Verstappen scored 249 points. He also collects at least 500,000 from his sponsorship money. With the salary of Max Verstappen, we certainly do not have to feel sorry for him.
890,201 comments on Red Bull Racing
685 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Red Bull Racing
-
Coulthard: Verstappen identifies Mercedes-powered teams as main threats
David Coulthard has provided an intriguing look into Max Verstappen's mindset heading into the 2026 season. Despite Red Bull showing strong pace during winter testing, the r...
17 Feb 2026 12:36 -
Damon Hill praises Verstappen's mastery of the F1 rulebook
Max Verstappen, often a target of criticism for his aggressive racing style, has received surprising praise from one of his most frequent detractors. Former world champion Damon...
17 Feb 2026 11:34 -
Di Grassi slams 'badly designed' 2026 F1 rules alongside Verstappen
The debate over the future of Formula 1 has intensified as the sport approaches its radical 2026 regulatory shift. While Max Verstappen has been a vocal critic, describing the n...
16 Feb 2026 09:34 -
Marko’s Pride: Why the 2026 Engine is the Key to Keeping Verstappen
Helmut Marko may have officially retired from Red Bull Racing at the age of 82, but his influence still looms large over the Sakhir paddock. The Austrian veteran, though no long...
13 Feb 2026 14:14 -
Verstappen’s Sakhir Silence: Why Red Bull is Grinning Despite the 2026 Mystery
Max Verstappen has emerged from the opening sessions of the 2026 pre-season tests in Bahrain with a tactical refusal to name Red Bull as the definitive favourite, despite a week...
13 Feb 2026 10:09 -
Sky Sports Analysts "Fear" for Rivals After Verstappen’s Bahrain Masterclass
The Formula 1 paddock has descended upon the Bahrain International Circuit for the first official test of the 2026 season, and early indications suggest that the reigning champi...
12 Feb 2026 10:14 -
NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. Invites Verstappen to Race in America
Max Verstappen has never hidden his desire to explore motorsport beyond the Formula 1 paddock, and now he has received a high-profile invitation to try his hand at American stoc...
11 Feb 2026 15:21 -
Zak Brown: Lando Norris Has the "Hunger" of Schumacher and Verstappen
Lando Norris achieved his boyhood dream by becoming Formula 1 World Champion last season, but McLaren CEO Zak Brown insists this monumental achievement is just the beginning for...
11 Feb 2026 10:13 -
The Ground-Effect Era’s Final Verdict: Verstappen’s Unrivaled Dominance
As Formula 1 officially bids farewell to the ground-effect era, the history books will record it as a period of near-total colonization by Max Verstappen. With the sport transit...
10 Feb 2026 11:50 -
Verstappen Stunned by RB22 Reliability Amid Engine Shift
Max Verstappen has kicked off his latest title defense with a sense of cautious optimism that has quickly turned into genuine surprise. Heading into the first week of testing in...
09 Feb 2026 10:50 -
Oscar Piastri Dreams of Hamilton vs. Verstappen Title Fight
The 2026 season promises to be a step into the unknown, but McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has a clear wish for the campaign: a renewed titan battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max...
06 Feb 2026 11:42 -
Max Verstappen Escapes to the Austrian Alps for Final Winter Getaway
As the Formula 1 paddock frantically prepares for the intensity of the 2026 season, reigning world champion Max Verstappen has opted for a different kind of preparation. The fou...
05 Feb 2026 16:13 -
Report: "Serious" Turbo Lag Plagues Red Bull-Ford Engine
A potential crisis is brewing at Red Bull Racing just weeks before the start of the 2026 season. While the team projected an image of calm confidence in Barcelona, emerging repo...
05 Feb 2026 14:59 -
Riccardo Patrese: Verstappen Will Master 2026 Regulations "Faster Than Anyone"
As Formula 1 braces for one of the most significant technical revolutions in its history, former Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese has cast his vote for the driver most likely ...
05 Feb 2026 09:52 -
Toto Wolff Hints Mercedes No Longer Needs Verstappen
For years, the prospect of Max Verstappen joining Mercedes has been the ultimate "what if" scenario in the Formula 1 driver market. Team Principal Toto Wolff made no s...
04 Feb 2026 14:29 -
Max Verstappen Rejects Fame: "I Just Want a Normal Life"
Max Verstappen may be a four-time Formula 1 world champion and a global sporting icon, but the Dutchman insists that he has zero interest in the celebrity lifestyle that comes w...
04 Feb 2026 12:25 -
Peter Windsor: Gasly Could Be a Race Winner Alongside Verstappen
As Red Bull Racing navigates the 2026 season with a new driver lineup, questions are being asked about whether the team has maximized its options. With rookie Isack Hadjar now p...
04 Feb 2026 10:21 -
Verstappen's Confident Smile Send Shivers Through the Paddock
The first shakedown of the 2026 Formula 1 season has concluded in Barcelona, and while the official timesheets offer limited insight, the body language of the reigning champion ...
03 Feb 2026 09:45 -
Max Verstappen Refuses to Alter Routine Despite Results
Max Verstappen is renowned for his unwavering focus, and the four-time world champion has revealed that he refuses to change his race preparation routine, regardless of his on-t...
02 Feb 2026 10:55 -
Ralf Schumacher Predicts "Two-Horse Race" Between Verstappen and Russell
As the Formula 1 paddock comes alive in Barcelona for the first crucial shakedown of the 2026 era, former Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher has made a bold prediction regarding ...
29 Jan 2026 10:13 -
Red Bull to Fast-Track Major Updates for Season Opener
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are set to start the 2026 Formula 1 season on the front foot, with reports emerging that the team will introduce a significant upgrade package...
28 Jan 2026 10:19 -
Max Verstappen Remains Calm Despite Hectic Dual Schedule
As he prepares for one of the most demanding years of his life, Max Verstappen appears remarkably unphased. The four-time world champion is not only leading Red Bull’s cha...
26 Jan 2026 15:21 -
Max Verstappen: Sim Racing is the Future of Talent Development
Max Verstappen has long been a vocal advocate for sim racing, but he now believes it has become an essential pillar for the education of the next generation of racing drivers. T...
26 Jan 2026 12:16 -
Red Bull Warned of Potential "High Price" for 2025 Focus
The intensity of last year’s championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris may have a lingering impact on Red Bull Racing’s performance in the 2026 sea...
26 Jan 2026 10:14 -
Max Verstappen Cleared for 24 Hours of Nürburgring Debut
The prospects for Max Verstappen to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of the Nürburgring have improved significantly following a crucial shift in the racing calendar. Verst...
26 Jan 2026 09:12 -
McLaren Issues Warning to Verstappen: "Norris Will Only Get Better"
The McLaren Formula 1 team has issued a stern warning to Max Verstappen as the sport approaches its newest era. After the Dutchman narrowly missed out on a fifth world title las...
23 Jan 2026 10:57 -
Verstappen Finds Balance Through Fatherhood and Family
Max Verstappen’s 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most intense of his career, but for the Dutchman, the biggest changes happened away from the race track. Alon...
22 Jan 2026 17:03 -
Max Verstappen Indifferent to Pursuit of Fifth World Title
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches with a radical technical reset, Max Verstappen appears more relaxed than ever regarding his place in the history books. Despite the oppor...
22 Jan 2026 11:56 -
Helmut Marko: The Story of Max Verstappen is Far from Over
Although Helmut Marko has officially stepped down from his role as advisor to Red Bull Racing, he remains one of the most vocal supporters of his former protégé, M...
21 Jan 2026 15:20 -
Jock Clear on the "Unexplainable" Greatness of Max Verstappen
Despite decades of experience in the Formula 1 paddock, Ferrari performance engineer Jock Clear admits that he still cannot fully understand or explain the sheer level of domina...
21 Jan 2026 12:16 -
Max Verstappen Reclaims Number 3 After "Drinks" With Daniel Ricciardo
The upcoming Formula 1 season will see a visual shift at the front of the grid as Max Verstappen prepares to race with a new start number on his car. After four seasons of runni...
20 Jan 2026 09:17 -
Verstappen Rejects Media Narrative Over Norris Friendship
The intense title battle of last season between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris was one of the most closely watched rivalries in recent years. As the championship fight went dow...
19 Jan 2026 12:09 -
Red Bull Makes Embarrassing Start Number Blunder at 2026 Launch
Red Bull Racing officially kicked off its new era of partnership with American automotive giant Ford during a high-profile car launch in Detroit. The event was designed to showc...
19 Jan 2026 11:58 -
Max Verstappen Warns of Significant 2026 Grid Shake-up
The landscape of Formula 1 is set for a dramatic transformation as the sport introduces a suite of radical new technical regulations. Max Verstappen, who narrowly miss...
19 Jan 2026 09:55 -
Verstappen Tips Audi as Future Formula 1 Threat
As Formula 1 approaches a radical new era, all eyes are on the incoming manufacturers set to disrupt the established order. Max Verstappen has specifically pointed to Audi as a ...
15 Jan 2026 12:23 -
Verstappen the next Rossi? 'MotoGP would interest me'
Max Verstappen’s impressive career extends far beyond Formula 1. The Dutchman is known for his interest in other racing classes and appears set to compete in different mac...
14 Jan 2026 12:28 -
Max Verstappen reminisces about holidays with 'Uncle Michael' Schumacher
Max Verstappen has frequently been mentioned alongside the greatest names in Formula 1 history in recent years. Due to his dominance, the Dutchman has often been compared to leg...
14 Jan 2026 10:23 -
Hadjar Looks Past Verstappen: “I Always Looked Up to Hamilton”
Isack Hadjar has revealed that Max Verstappen was not the driver he idolised growing up, instead naming Lewis Hamilton as his childhood hero. The young Red Bull driver says Hami...
13 Jan 2026 15:30 -
Montoya Warns: Verstappen Would Not Automatically Be Number One Elsewhere
Juan Pablo Montoya has cautioned against the assumption that Max Verstappen would instantly become the undisputed number one if he were to leave Red Bull. The former Formula 1 d...
13 Jan 2026 11:22 -
Russell Slammed Over Move Against Verstappen: “What a Snitch”
George Russell has come under heavy criticism following his actions toward Max Verstappen during the Canadian Grand Prix, with former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde accusi...
13 Jan 2026 10:19 -
Montoya Warns: Verstappen Would Not Automatically Be Number One Elsewhere
Juan Pablo Montoya has warned that a move away from Red Bull would not automatically guarantee Max Verstappen the same dominant status he currently enjoys. The former Formula 1...
12 Jan 2026 17:28 -
Villeneuve Tears Into Brown After Bold Championship Claim
Jacques Villeneuve has strongly criticised McLaren CEO Zak Brown after his claim that Oscar Piastri is a future Formula 1 world champion. The former world champion described Bro...
12 Jan 2026 16:25 -
Unexpected Support for Verstappen: “Red Bull Is Far From Finished”
Max Verstappen has received backing from an unexpected corner, with former Formula 1 drivers Johnny Herbert and Damon Hill pushing back against the narrative that Red Bull are i...
12 Jan 2026 11:15 -
Pressure Mounts at Red Bull: “Otherwise Verstappen Will Leave”
Pressure is building rapidly at Red Bull Racing as the team approaches the crucial 2026 regulation reset. According to Formula 1 analyst Peter Windsor, everything hinges on whet...
12 Jan 2026 10:14 -
Hadjar Sets Bold Red Bull Target and Wants to Take on Verstappen
Isack Hadjar has made no attempt to hide his ambition after stepping up to Red Bull Racing. The young Frenchman says his goal is not simply to learn or survive at the front of t...
07 Jan 2026 12:40 -
Steiner Predicts: “Verstappen Will Not Make the Same Mistakes as Alonso”
Günther Steiner believes Max Verstappen is unlikely to repeat the career missteps that limited Fernando Alonso’s title tally. According to the former Haas team princi...
07 Jan 2026 11:38 -
Coulthard Puts Senna Just Ahead of Verstappen in All-Time Ranking
David Coulthard has sparked discussion by placing Ayrton Senna narrowly ahead of Max Verstappen in his personal ranking of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. The former...
07 Jan 2026 10:36 -
Career Switch for Verstappen? Dutchman Shows He Can Do Much More
Max Verstappen may be best known as a Formula 1 world champion, but a light-hearted moment during his holiday has reminded fans that his athletic talent goes far beyond the cock...
05 Jan 2026 11:15 -
Verstappen Shares First Reaction to New Red Bull Engine
Max Verstappen has given his first reaction to Red Bull’s self-developed power unit for the 2026 Formula 1 season, offering an early glimpse into how the ambitious project...
24 Dec 2025 13:42 -
Vandoorne Open to Teaming Up With Verstappen: “That Would Be Nice”
Stoffel Vandoorne has revealed that he would welcome the opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen in endurance competition, describing the idea as both appealing and realist...
24 Dec 2025 11:40 -
Verstappen Praised: “He Is Far Above the Other Drivers”
Max Verstappen has been singled out for exceptional praise by Stoffel Vandoorne, who believes the Dutchman operates on a level clearly above the rest of the Formula 1 grid. Acco...
24 Dec 2025 09:38 -
Russell Was Not Afraid of Verstappen Link to Mercedes: “I Don’t Worry About Noise”
George Russell has revealed that rumours linking Max Verstappen to Mercedes never unsettled him during a period of contract uncertainty. The British driver says he remained calm...
24 Dec 2025 08:37 -
Antonelli Enjoys ‘Mentor’ Verstappen: “He Supports Me a Lot”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has spoken warmly about the support he receives from Max Verstappen, describing the reigning world champion as an important mentor during his rookie season...
23 Dec 2025 11:40 -
Villeneuve Enjoys ‘Puppet Master’ Verstappen: “A True Great”
Jacques Villeneuve has described Max Verstappen as the true puppet master of modern Formula 1, praising the Dutchman’s influence, intelligence and control over the champio...
23 Dec 2025 09:38 -
Verstappen Critical of Short F1 Winter Break
Max Verstappen has taken a swipe at Formula 1’s increasingly short winter break, questioning whether drivers really get any meaningful time off. The Red Bull driver spoke ...
23 Dec 2025 08:37 -
Red Bull Firmly Denies Persistent Verstappen Rumour
Red Bull have moved to firmly dismiss a persistent rumour suggesting that Max Verstappen effectively runs the team from within. Senior Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff reject...
23 Dec 2025 07:36 -
Hadjar Lowers Expectations Ahead of Red Bull Duel With Verstappen
Isack Hadjar has deliberately tempered expectations ahead of his upcoming role alongside Max Verstappen, making it clear that he does not expect miracles in his first season at ...
22 Dec 2025 08:37 -
Sky Sports Analyst Enjoys Verstappen’s Honesty
Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has praised Max Verstappen for his blunt honesty, arguing that the Dutchman’s direct approach is one of the qualities that sets him apart...
17 Dec 2025 13:47 -
Palou Believes Verstappen Could Surpass Schumacher
IndyCar champion Alex Palou believes Max Verstappen has the potential to surpass Michael Schumacher and eventually be regarded as the greatest driver in Formula 1 history. The S...
17 Dec 2025 11:42 -
Nürburgring May Adjust Calendar to Accommodate Verstappen
The organisers of the Nürburgring endurance series are considering changes to their calendar to give Max Verstappen the opportunity to prepare properly for the 24 Hours of ...
17 Dec 2025 10:40 -
Marko Opens Up About Verstappen Contract Talks
Helmut Marko has shed light on the complex and costly contract negotiations that kept Max Verstappen at Red Bull, revealing how difficult it was to secure the Dutchman’s l...
16 Dec 2025 13:42 -
Verstappen Compared to Senna: “Maybe He Is Even Better”
Max Verstappen may already belong in the same conversation as Ayrton Senna, and according to former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer, there is even an argument that the Dutchman coul...
16 Dec 2025 10:39 -
Hadjar Accepts Being Slower Than Verstappen
Isack Hadjar has spoken openly about his mindset as he prepares to work alongside Max Verstappen, admitting that he accepts he will initially be slower than the multiple world c...
16 Dec 2025 09:38 -
Support for Verstappen: “The Car Is Not Made for Him”
Jacques Villeneuve has dismissed the idea that Red Bull build their cars specifically to suit Max Verstappen, arguing that the difference between Verstappen and his team mates l...
16 Dec 2025 08:37 -
“Verstappen Belongs in the Same Class as Schumacher”
Max Verstappen belongs in the same category as Michael Schumacher, according to former world champion Damon Hill. The Briton believes Verstappen’s precision, mental streng...
15 Dec 2025 12:41 -
Verstappen Refuses to Retract McLaren Comments
Max Verstappen has made it clear he will not take back his comments about McLaren’s pace, insisting he merely stated his honest opinion. The Red Bull driver came under cri...
15 Dec 2025 09:38 -
Verstappen Inspires Piastri: “Titles Are Not Everything”
Oscar Piastri has explained why he believes championships in junior categories are not the defining measure of a driver’s potential, pointing to Max Verstappen as the perf...
15 Dec 2025 08:37 -
Former Driver Says: “Verstappen Is a Combination of Senna and Schumacher”
Christijan Albers has delivered one of his highest compliments yet to Max Verstappen, saying the Dutchman combines the best qualities of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Acc...
10 Dec 2025 13:42 -
Verstappen Not Interested in FIA Gala: “Nonsense”
Max Verstappen has made it clear he is not enthusiastic about attending the FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony, calling the obligation “nonsense” shortly after the season fin...
10 Dec 2025 08:37 -
Helmut Marko Leaves Red Bull: Should Verstappen Be Worried?
Red Bull have been shaken by another internal departure as Helmut Marko, one of the architects of the Verstappen era, has now officially left the team. His exit follows a year f...
10 Dec 2025 07:36
-
SerieTeamYear#
-
F1
Red Bull Racing
33 -
F1
Toro Rosso
201633 -
European F3Van Amersfoort Racing201430
-
F1
Toro Rosso
201438 -
Florida WSFerrari Academy20143
Statistics Max Verstappen
-
Amount of victories71
-
Amount of podiums127
-
Total races233
-
Total races with points195
-
Amount of poles52
-
Times beaten team member (race)46
-
Times beaten team member (qualis)34
-
Average points per grandprix15
-
Average starting position5
-
Average finish position5
-
Average positions gained0
-
Highest position1
-
DateGrand PrixQR
-
5 - 7 Dec11
-
28 - 30 Nov31
-
21 - 23 Nov1
-
7 - 9 Nov193
-
24 - 26 Oct53
-
17 - 19 Oct11
-
3 - 5 Oct22
-
19 - 21 Sep11
-
5 - 7 Sep11
-
29 - 31 Aug2
Give your opinion!
Driver characteristics
- Team -
- Points 3,444.5
- Podiums 127
- Grand Prix 233
- Country Netherlands
- Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
- Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.8 m
816,259 comments on
980 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
