Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Max Verstappen
Discover the career path of Max Verstappen, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Max Verstappen is a highly accomplished Dutch-Belgian racing driver, competing under the Dutch flag in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. He has secured four consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles from 2021 to 2024. By 2024, Verstappen had achieved 65 Grand Prix victories throughout his 11 seasons in Formula One, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport.
1983: Piquet's Championship Win
In 1983, Nelson Piquet was the last driver to win a title driving for a third-placed team in the World Constructors' Championship, a feat later matched by Verstappen.
1988: McLaren's Win Streak
In 1988, McLaren set a record of eleven consecutive wins in Formula 1 racing. This record was later broken by Red Bull.
2004: Equalling Michael Schumacher's record.
In Abu Dhabi, 2022, Max Verstappen's fifteenth victory of the year broke the record of thirteen race wins in a season shared by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
2005: Competed in Mini Junior championship in 2005
In 2005, Max Verstappen competed in the Mini Junior championship of his home province of Limburg, Belgium, and won the VAS Championship in the same category.
2006: Repeated success in 2006
In 2006, Max Verstappen repeated his success in the Mini Junior championship.
2006: First Honda-powered race victory since 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
In Austria 2019, Max Verstappen's victory marked the first Honda-powered race victory since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
2007: Graduated to Rotax Max Mini Max class in 2007
In 2007, Max Verstappen graduated to the Rotax Max Mini Max class and won the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium and the Dutch Championship in that category.
2008: Won Belgian Cadet Championship in 2008
In 2008, racing in a CRG kart, Max Verstappen won the Belgian Cadet Championship, as well as the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium and Benelux Karting Series in Mini Max class.
2008: First podium finish for a Honda-powered driver since 2008 British Grand Prix.
In 2019, Max Verstappen's third-place finish in Australia marked the first podium finish for a Honda-powered driver since the 2008 British Grand Prix.
2009: Jenson Button's comments on Max Verstappen
In 2009, Jenson Button commented on Max Verstappen, anointing him as the Formula One driver of this era with the most raw talent.
2009: Joined Pex Racing in 2009
In 2009, Max Verstappen joined Pex Racing, a CRG customer team, and defended his titles in the Mini Max championships, winning the Belgian KF5 Championship.
2010: Signed by CRG to race in their factory team in 2010
In 2010, Max Verstappen was signed by CRG to race in their factory team and stepped up to international karting, finishing second at the KF3 World Cup and winning the WSK Euro Series and WSK World Series.
2011: Won WSK Euro Series in 2011
In 2011, Max Verstappen won the WSK Euro Series ahead of Esteban Ocon in a Parilla-powered CRG kart, but finished 14th in the European Championship.
July 2012: Left Intrepid in July 2012
In July 2012, it was announced that Max Verstappen would leave Intrepid, returning to the factory CRG team after a short stint with CRG-built Zanardi karts. He finished second at the World Cup in the KF2 class.
August 2013: First experienced formula racing in August 2013
In August 2013, Max Verstappen first experienced formula racing at Pembrey with Manor MP, driving 160 laps across two days in a Barazi-Epsilon FR2.0-10.
December 2013: Tested Formula Three and Renault cars in December 2013
In December 2013, Max Verstappen tested a Dallara F311 Formula Three car run by Motopark Academy and a Formula Renault car for Josef Kaufmann Racing, setting faster lap times than experienced drivers.
2013: Record-breaking season in 2013
In 2013, Max Verstappen completed a record-breaking season in karting, winning three CIK-FIA championships in a single season and becoming the youngest-ever driver to win the gearbox World Championship.
2013: Finished Third at KF World Championship in 2013
In 2013, Max Verstappen finished third at the KF World Championship after being disqualified for a move on Nicklas Nielsen, also winning the South Garda Winter Cup in KF2, as well as the WSK Euro Series and the WSK Super Master Series in KZ1 and KZ2, respectively.
2013: Record-breaking 2013 Karting Season
In 2013, Max Verstappen had a record-breaking karting season that led to his graduation to junior formulae.
2013: Equalling Sebastian Vettel's record.
In Abu Dhabi, 2022, Max Verstappen's fifteenth victory of the year broke the record of thirteen race wins in a season shared by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
January 2014: Racing debut in Florida Winter Series in January 2014
On 16 January 2014, it was announced that Max Verstappen would make his racing debut in the non-championship Florida Winter Series. He won a race at Palm Beach International Raceway on February 5th.
August 2014: Joined Red Bull Junior Team in August 2014
In August 2014, Max Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team after testing a Formula Renault 3.5 car.
2014: Drove in the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Following his single-seater debut in the inaugural Florida Winter Series, Verstappen drove in the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing. In 2014, Verstappen achieved 10 victories in total, becoming the youngest race winner and polesitter in Formula Three history; he placed third in the overall standings.
2015: Preparation for full-time seat at Toro Rosso in 2015
During the first practice session at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen replaced Jean-Éric Vergne as part of his preparation for a full-time seat at Toro Rosso in the 2015 season.
2015: Grand Prix Debut and First Formula One Points in 2015
In 2015, Max Verstappen made his Grand Prix debut as a full-time driver at the Australian Grand Prix. At the subsequent race in Malaysia, Verstappen finished the race in seventh place, scoring his first Formula One points.
2015: Signed with Toro Rosso in 2015
In 2015, Max Verstappen signed with Toro Rosso as part of the Red Bull Junior Team, becoming the youngest driver in Formula One history at the Australian Grand Prix.
2015: Verstappen joins Team Redline
Since 2015, Verstappen has been a member of Team Redline, a British-Luxembourgish multinational professional sim racing team.
May 2016: Replaced Kvyat at Red Bull Racing in May 2016
On 5 May 2016, Red Bull Racing announced that Max Verstappen would be replacing Daniil Kvyat from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. Verstappen subsequently won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix at the age of 18 years and 228 days.
2016: Verstappen Hailed After Spanish Grand Prix Win
Following his first Formula One win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Niki Lauda described Verstappen as the "talent of the century." Christian Horner stated Verstappen is the best driver Red Bull had ever seen.
2016: Promoted to Red Bull and Won Spanish Grand Prix
In 2016, after four rounds, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull and won the Spanish Grand Prix on his debut, becoming the youngest-ever driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.
2016: Lewis Hamilton supports Verstappen after Belgian Grand Prix warning
In 2016, following Verstappen being given a warning for his driving conduct at the Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton supported the 18-year-old, urging others to give him a break.
2016: 2016 Season at Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen began the 2016 season at Toro Rosso. Verstappen qualified fifth for the opening race of the season in Australia, but during the race made several radio calls to his team due to frustration at being behind Sainz on track before Verstappen's Toro Rosso came into contact with his teammate's car whilst attempting to pass him with three laps to go, and he eventually finished tenth.
2017: Multiple Race Wins in 2017
Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins during his 2017 campaign.
2018: Marko on Verstappen's Performance
In 2018, Helmut Marko stated that Verstappen had surpassed his former teammate Daniel Ricciardo in both qualifying and race performance, with data showing a widening gap between them.
2018: Multiple Race Wins in 2018
Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins during his 2018 campaign.
February 2019: Bathurst 12 Special Event entry
In February 2019, Verstappen entered the Bathurst 12 Special Event alongside Lando Norris.
2019: Out-qualified by a teammate since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix.
At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen qualified third with teammate Sergio Pérez second, marking the first time in 2019 that he was out-qualified by a teammate since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix.
2019: Rosberg praises Verstappen after Hungarian Grand Prix
Following Max Verstappen's pole position at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg described him as the fastest driver in Formula One, attributing the pole position to Verstappen's speed rather than the car's capabilities.
2019: Red Bull switches to Honda power units.
In 2019, Red Bull transitioned from Renault to Honda power units, marking a significant change in their vehicle components. With Ricciardo's departure to Renault, Verstappen was partnered with Pierre Gasly at Red Bull for the 2019 season.
2019: Verstappen finished third in the championship.
In 2019, Verstappen finished the season in third place in the championship with 278 points, which included three race victories, nine podium finishes, two pole positions, and three fastest laps.
2019: Beating Lewis Hamilton's record.
In 2022, Verstappen won the championship with 454 points, beating Lewis Hamilton's 2019 record of 413.
2019: Finished Third in the 2019 World Drivers' Championship
Max Verstappen finished third in the 2019 World Drivers' Championship.
October 2020: Petit Le Mans Special Event win
In October 2020, Verstappen won the Petit Le Mans Special Event.
2020: Button on Verstappen's dominance
During the 2020 season, Jenson Button stated that Verstappen "annihilated" his teammates in a way not seen in a long time.
2020: Competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
In 2020, Verstappen competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on rFactor 2, hosted by Automobile Club de l'Ouest and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
2020: Finished Third in the 2020 World Drivers' Championship
Max Verstappen finished third in the 2020 World Drivers' Championship.
October 2021: Most Popular Formula One Driver
In October 2021, Verstappen was voted the most popular Formula One driver in a worldwide survey, earning 14.4% of the vote with particular success in the United States and Japan.
2021: Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix.
At the United States Grand Prix 2021, Verstappen secured pole position in qualifying, edging out Hamilton by 0.209 seconds. Verstappen then went on to win the race, extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship to twelve points, while Hamilton finished second with the fastest lap.
2021: Honda praises Verstappen's support at Dutch Grand Prix
During the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix, Masashi Yamamoto of Honda praised Verstappen's support, noting the great turnout and comparing it to being in a football stadium.
2021: "Super Max!" tops charts after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory
Following his victory at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the song "Super Max!" went viral, topping the Spotify Viral 50 chart in the Netherlands and reaching number two in the United Kingdom.
2021: Fernando Alonso's comments on Max Verstappen
In 2021, Fernando Alonso commented that Verstappen is the standout driver in Formula One and deserved to win the 2021 Formula One World Championship. Karun Chandhok likened Verstappen's attitude to Michael Schumacher.
2021: Won First Formula One World Drivers' Championship title
In 2021, Max Verstappen secured his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship title.
2021: Won Maiden Title in 2021
In 2021, Max Verstappen won his maiden title after overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the last race of the season, becoming the first World Drivers' Champion from the Netherlands.
March 2022: Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing.
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2023 to 2028 seasons, solidifying his commitment to the team. From this season onward, he would use the number 1 instead of his regular number 33 as the reigning world champion.
2022: Verstappen became the first World Drivers' Champion from the Netherlands
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, Verstappen passed Hamilton on the final lap to become the first World Drivers' Champion from the Netherlands and the 34th overall. Mercedes protested the race results, but the protest was rejected, confirming Verstappen as the World Drivers' Champion.
2022: Competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
In 2022, Verstappen competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on rFactor 2, hosted by Automobile Club de l'Ouest and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
2022: Verstappen.com Racing founded
In 2022, Verstappen founded the Verstappen.com Racing team, supporting Jos Verstappen in rallying and Thierry Vermeulen in the ADAC GT Masters.
2022: Won Championship in 2022
Max Verstappen won the championship in 2022, overturning the largest points deficit in Formula One history.
2023: Le Mans Virtual Series
In 2023, Verstappen competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on rFactor 2, he also competed in two further rounds of the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series in the LMP2 class and retired due to technical issues. He eventually finished runner-up in the overall championship to Porsche Coanda.
2023: Verstappen wins AMX Global League heat at Imola
In 2023, Verstappen won the first heat of the eighth round of the AMX Global League at Imola.
2023: Beginning of Verstappen's five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing.
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2023 to 2028 seasons, solidifying his commitment to the team. From this season onward, he would use the number 1 instead of his regular number 33 as the reigning world champion.
2023: Won Championship in 2023
Max Verstappen won the championship in 2023, breaking numerous records across the season.
January 2024: Verstappen drives Ferrari 296 GT3 at Portimão
In January 2024, Verstappen tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 at Portimão with Emil Frey Racing, with Lorenz Frey-Hilti noting his exceptional driving skills.
January 2024: Verstappen wins Daytona 24 Special Event
In January 2024, Verstappen won the GTD class of the Daytona 24 Special Event with Redline, establishing himself as one of the best sim racers.
November 2024: Verstappen tests Acura ARX-06 prototype
On 19 November 2024, Verstappen tested the Acura ARX-06 prototype with Honda Racing Corporation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and expressed desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans.
2024: Won Fourth Formula One World Drivers' Championship title
In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull.
2024: Secured Fourth Consecutive Title in 2024
In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title after winning nine Grands Prix, including a widely acclaimed wet-weather performance in São Paulo.
May 2025: Verstappen Tests 296 at Nürburgring, Receives FIA Platinum License
In May 2025, Max Verstappen entered testing for the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in the 296 under the pseudonym "Franz Hermann", in an attempt to obtain a license to compete on the Nordschleife. He later received an FIA Platinum license, allowing him to compete in top-level endurance racing.
2025: Achieved milestones as of 2025 Austrian Grand Prix
As of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has achieved 65 race wins, 43 pole positions, 34 fastest laps and 117 podiums in Formula One.
2025: Verstappen.com makes its debut
In 2025, Verstappen.com made its debut as a standalone team in the Endurance Cup, fielding an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo.
2028: End of Verstappen's five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing.
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2023 to 2028 seasons, solidifying his commitment to the team. From this season onward, he would use the number 1 instead of his regular number 33 as the reigning world champion.
2028: Contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028 season
Max Verstappen is contracted to remain at Red Bull until at least the end of the 2028 season.
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