History of Max Verstappen in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 15, 2026

Max Verstappen is a dominant Dutch Formula One racing driver currently competing for Red Bull Racing. Born in 1997, he made history as the youngest driver to compete in F1 and the youngest to win a Grand Prix. Known for his aggressive driving style, exceptional car control, and high consistency, Verstappen rose to global prominence by clinching his maiden World Drivers' Championship in 2021 after a fierce season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton. He has since established a period of unprecedented dominance, securing multiple consecutive world titles. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, Verstappen has broken numerous records for race wins and points in a single season, transforming Red Bull Racing into a championship-winning powerhouse while cementing his status as the current benchmark of Formula One excellence.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

16 January 2014: Florida Winter Series Debut Announcement

On 16 January 2014, it was officially announced that Max Verstappen would begin his junior formulae racing career by competing in the non-championship Florida Winter Series.

September 1997: Birth of Max Verstappen

Max Emilian Verstappen was born on September 30, 1997, a date that marks the beginning of the life of the future Formula One champion.

2005: Mini Junior Championship Victories

In 2005, Max Verstappen successfully competed in the Mini Junior championship in his home province of Limburg, Belgium, and secured a victory in the VAS Championship within the same category.

2006: Repeat Success in Karting

Building on his performance from the previous year, Verstappen repeated his successful results in the Mini Junior karting championships in 2006.

2007: Rotax Max Mini Max Class Promotion

In 2007, Verstappen moved up to the Rotax Max Mini Max class, where he demonstrated his talent by winning both the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium and the Dutch Championship.

2008: Triple Karting Championship Wins

During the 2008 racing season, while driving a CRG kart managed by his father, Verstappen achieved victories in the Belgian Cadet Championship, the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium, and the Benelux Karting Series in the Mini Max class.

2009: Pex Racing and KF5 Championship Success

In 2009, Verstappen began racing with the Pex Racing team, a customer of CRG. That year, he successfully defended his titles in the Mini Max championships and earned a win in the Belgian KF5 Championship.

2010: International Karting Breakthrough

During the 2010 season, Max Verstappen transitioned to international karting with the CRG factory team, securing multiple victories including the WSK World Series, the WSK Nations Cup, and the Bridgestone Cup final, while also placing second at the KF3 World Cup.

2011: WSK Euro Series Victory and Competitive Challenges

In 2011, Verstappen achieved success by winning the WSK Euro Series, though the year was marked by competitive challenges, including a 14th place finish in the European Championship and a DNF at the World Cup due to electrical issues.

July 2012: Departure from Intrepid Driver Program

In July 2012, it was officially announced that Max Verstappen would be leaving the Intrepid Driver Program. Following this departure, he had a brief period driving Zanardi karts before returning to the factory CRG team.

August 2013: First Formula Racing Experience at Pembrey

In August 2013, Max Verstappen experienced formula racing for the first time at the Pembrey circuit. During a two-day session with Manor MP, he completed 160 laps behind the wheel of a Barazi-Epsilon FR2.0–10.

December 2013: Extensive Formula Three and Renault Testing

Throughout December 2013, Verstappen engaged in multiple high-performance tests. He tested a Dallara F311 Formula Three car with Motopark Academy and showcased his talent at the Circuito de Jerez and Circuit Ricardo Tormo, outperforming established drivers like Steijn Schothorst, Matt Parry, and Eddie Cheever III.

2013: Record-breaking Karting Success

During the 2013 season, 15-year-old Max Verstappen achieved an unprecedented feat by winning three CIK-FIA championships in a single year, including two European titles and the KZ World Championship at Varennes-sur-Allier. This performance made him the youngest driver ever to win the gearbox World Championship, marking a significant milestone in his early racing career.

2013: Max Verstappen's 2013 Karting Achievements and Setbacks

Throughout 2013, Max Verstappen experienced a highly successful year in karting, securing victories in the South Garda Winter Cup in KF2, the WSK Euro Series in KZ1, and the WSK Super Master Series in KZ2. The only setback during this period occurred at the 2013 KF World Championship, where he finished third after being disqualified following a maneuver involving Nicklas Nielsen in the final race, despite having dominated earlier stages of the competition.

August 2014: Joining Red Bull Junior Team

In August 2014, Max Verstappen officially joined the Red Bull Junior Team following his successful test of a Formula Renault 3.5 vehicle, choosing this path over a competing offer from Mercedes.

2014: 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Performance

During the 2014 season, sixteen-year-old Max Verstappen competed in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing. He secured ten victories, including a record-breaking streak of six consecutive wins across Spa-Francorchamps and the Norisring, and made history at the Hockenheimring as the youngest race winner and polesitter in Formula Three history, ultimately finishing third in the overall standings.

2015: Formula One debut with Toro Rosso

At the age of 17, Max Verstappen signed with Toro Rosso in 2015 as part of the Red Bull Junior Team, officially becoming the youngest driver in the history of Formula One during the Australian Grand Prix.

2015: Max Verstappen's 2015 Racing Challenges and Accomplishments

During the 2015 season, Max Verstappen experienced both controversy and career growth. In 2015, he was involved in a high-speed collision at the Monaco Grand Prix, resulting in a grid penalty and criticism from Felipe Massa. However, he also reached career milestones by finishing fourth in Hungary and the United States, and concluded 2015 by receiving three FIA awards: Rookie of the Year, Personality of the Year, and Action of the Year for his overtake on Felipe Nasr.

2015: Professional Sim Racing Debut

In 2015, Max Verstappen began competing professionally in sim racing, a field in which he has since achieved victories in several marquee events.

2015: Formula One Debut and First Points

In 2015, Max Verstappen made history by becoming the youngest driver to start a World Championship race at the Australian Grand Prix at 17 years and 166 days old, though he retired due to engine failure. Later that year at the Malaysian Grand Prix, he secured his first Formula One points at 17 years and 180 days old, setting a new record for the youngest driver to score in the championship.

2015: Transition to Toro Rosso

In 2015, Max Verstappen secured a full-time seat with the Toro Rosso Formula One team, a transition prepared for by his participation in practice sessions during the previous season.

2016: Promotion to Red Bull and Spanish Grand Prix win

After competing in four rounds of the 2016 season, Verstappen was promoted to the Red Bull team, where he made history at the Spanish Grand Prix by becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix at age 18.

2016: Max Verstappen's Early 2016 Formula One Season at Toro Rosso

During the 2016 season, Max Verstappen competed for Toro Rosso. At the season opener in Australia, he qualified fifth but finished tenth after an on-track collision with teammate Carlos Sainz following radio expressions of frustration. Subsequently, in 2016 at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen achieved a sixth-place finish, securing the first-ever points for Toro Rosso at the Sakhir circuit.

2017: 2017 Racing Campaign

Throughout the 2017 season, Max Verstappen continued his career progression by securing multiple race victories in Formula One.

2018: 2018 Racing Campaign

During the 2018 Formula One season, Verstappen maintained his competitive form, adding further race wins to his career total.

2019: 2019 World Drivers' Championship Finish

In 2019, Max Verstappen secured a third-place finish in the World Drivers' Championship while driving with Honda power.

2020: 2020 World Drivers' Championship Finish

Max Verstappen concluded the 2020 racing season by achieving a third-place finish in the World Drivers' Championship, continuing his success under Honda power.

2021: Maiden World Drivers' Championship

In 2021, Max Verstappen secured his first career Formula One World Drivers' Championship title by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season's last race, marking him as the first Dutch driver to achieve this feat.

2021: First Formula One World Championship Title

In 2021, Max Verstappen secured his first-ever Formula One World Drivers' Championship title while competing for the Red Bull Racing team.

2022: Second Formula One Championship

During the 2022 season, Max Verstappen won his second consecutive World Drivers' Championship, a victory notable for the driver overcoming the largest points deficit in the history of Formula One.

2022: Appointment as Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau

In 2022, Max Verstappen received the prestigious distinction of being appointed an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

2023: Third Consecutive Championship

Max Verstappen claimed his third consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title in 2023, while simultaneously breaking multiple records throughout the season.

2024: Fourth Consecutive World Championship Title

By the conclusion of 2024, Max Verstappen achieved his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, solidifying his dominance in the sport.

2024: Time 100 Recognition

In 2024, Max Verstappen was honored by being included in the Time list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2025: Runner-up in Three-Way Title Battle

During the 2025 season, Verstappen finished as the runner-up by a margin of two points following a competitive three-way title battle against Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

2026: Milestone Career Statistics at the 2026 British Grand Prix

As of the 2026 British Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has solidified his legacy with 71 race wins, 48 pole positions, 37 fastest laps, and 129 podiums in Formula One.

2028: Contract Extension with Red Bull

By the year 2028, Max Verstappen is contractually obligated to continue his driving career with the Red Bull team, ensuring his presence on the grid through the end of that season.