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 Dutch-Belgian racing driver competing under the Dutch flag in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. He is a four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, securing consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024. Over his ten seasons, Verstappen has achieved 63 Grand Prix wins, establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.
1983: First Driver Since Nelson Piquet to Win Title for Third-Placed Team
Following the 2024 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen became the first driver since Nelson Piquet in 1983 to win a title while driving for a team that finished third in the World Constructors' Championship.
1991: First Honda-powered World Drivers' Champion since 1991
In 2022, Verstappen became the first Honda-powered World Drivers' Champion since 1991, receiving an NSX Type S from Honda as an award.
2005: Mini Junior Championship
In 2005, Max Verstappen competed in the Mini Junior championship of Limburg, Belgium and won the VAS Championship.
2006: Repeated Success
In 2006, Max Verstappen repeated his success in karting.
2007: Rotax Max Mini Max Class
In 2007, Max Verstappen graduated to the Rotax Max Mini Max class and won the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium and the Dutch Championship.
2008: Belgian Cadet Championship
In 2008, Max Verstappen won the Belgian Cadet Championship, Rotax Max Challenge Belgium, and Benelux Karting Series in the Mini Max class.
2009: Joined Pex Racing
In 2009, Max Verstappen joined Pex Racing and defended his Mini Max titles, winning the Belgian KF5 Championship.
2010: International Karting Debut
In 2010, Max Verstappen was signed by CRG to race in their factory team and stepped up to international karting. He finished second at the KF3 World Cup.
2011: WSK Euro Series Win
In 2011, Max Verstappen won the WSK Euro Series ahead of Esteban Ocon.
July 2012: Departure from Intrepid
In July 2012, it was announced that Max Verstappen would leave Intrepid. He later returned to the factory CRG team after a short stint with CRG-built Zanardi karts.
October 2013: First Experience in a Racing Car
On October 11, 2013, Max Verstappen had his first experience in a racing car at the Pembrey Circuit, driving 160 laps in a Formula Renault car.
December 2013: Formula 3 Test
In December 2013, Verstappen tested a Dallara F311 Formula 3 car run by Motopark Academy and also tested a Formula Renault car at Circuito de Jerez.
2013: Record-Breaking Karting Season
In 2013, Max Verstappen completed a record-breaking season in karting, winning three CIK-FIA championships.
2013: Additional Accolades in Karting
In 2013, Max Verstappen finished third at the KF World Championship and won the South Garda Winter Cup, WSK Euro Series, and WSK Super Master Series.
2013: Broke Sebastian Vettel's record of nine from 2013
Max Verstappen victory marked his tenth consecutive win, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record of nine from 2013
January 2014: Racing Debut in Florida Winter Series
On January 16, 2014, it was announced that Max Verstappen would make his racing debut in the non-championship Florida Winter Series.
August 2014: Joined Red Bull Junior Team
In August 2014, Max Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team after testing a Formula Renault 3.5 car.
2014: FIA Formula 3 European Championship
In 2014, Max Verstappen drove in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing, achieving 10 victories and placing third overall.
2015: Grand Prix Debut
In 2015, Max Verstappen debuted as a full-time driver for Toro Rosso at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to start a World Championship race.
2015: Preparation for Full-Time Seat at Toro Rosso
In 2015, Max Verstappen prepared for his full-time seat at Toro Rosso by replacing Jean-Éric Vergne during the first practice session at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
2015: Formula One Debut with Toro Rosso
In 2015, Max Verstappen signed with Toro Rosso as part of the Red Bull Junior Team, becoming the youngest driver in Formula One history.
2015: Joins Team Redline
Since 2015, Verstappen has been a member of Team Redline, a British-Luxembourgish multinational professional sim racing team.
May 2016: Promotion to Red Bull Racing and First Win
In May 2016, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing and won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix.
2016: Promotion to Red Bull and First Grand Prix Win
In 2016, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing and won the Spanish Grand Prix on his debut, becoming the youngest-ever driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.
2016: Start of 2016 Season with Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen began the 2016 season at Toro Rosso, alongside Carlos Sainz. He qualified fifth for the opening race in Australia and finished tenth.
2017: Multiple Race Wins
In 2017, Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins in his Formula One campaign.
2018: Verstappen's Progress over Ricciardo
In 2018, Helmut Marko asserted that Verstappen's progress had moved him clear of his former Formula 1 teammate Daniel Ricciardo, in both qualifying and race trim, noting Verstappen's superior speed and tire management since the second half of the 2018 season.
2018: Multiple Race Wins
In 2018, Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins in his Formula One campaign.
February 2019: Enters Bathurst 12 Special Event
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 he was out-qualified by a teammate since the 2019 Italian Grand Prix.
2019: Joined by Pierre Gasly at Red Bull
In 2019, Daniel Ricciardo moved to the Renault team, leading to Pierre Gasly joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull. This marked a change in the team's driver lineup for the 2019 season.
2019: Third Place in the World Drivers' Championship
In 2019, Max Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.
October 2020: Wins Petit Le Mans Special Event
In October 2020, Verstappen won the Petit Le Mans Special Event.
2020: Third Place in the World Drivers' Championship
In 2020, Max Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.
2020: Competes in 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
In 2020, Verstappen competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on rFactor 2.
2021: "Super Max!" goes viral
After Max Verstappen's victory at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the fan-made song "Super Max!" went viral, topping the Spotify Viral 50 chart in the Netherlands and reaching number two in the United Kingdom.
2021: Won the United States Grand Prix and Extended Championship Lead
At the 2021 United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen secured pole position and won the race, extending his lead in the Drivers' Championship to twelve points over Lewis Hamilton, who finished second.
2021: First Formula One World Drivers' Championship
In 2021, Max Verstappen won his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull Racing after winning 10 Grands Prix.
2021: Maiden Title Win
In 2021, Max Verstappen won his maiden Formula 1 title, becoming the first World Drivers' Champion from the Netherlands.
2022: Retirement at the Australian Grand Prix
At the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had to retire from the race. This is mentioned as it marked the end of a long finishing streak when he retired in the 2024 edition of the race.
2022: Elevation to a New Level
Following the first half of the 2022 season, David Tremayne claimed Verstappen had elevated himself to a higher level, suggesting his first title had made him more relaxed.
2022: Record-Breaking Season
In 2022, Max Verstappen achieved a record-breaking season with his nineteenth win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, surpassing his previous record of fifteen wins in 2022. He also accumulated 575 points, more than double that of second-place Pérez, setting a new points-scoring record.
2022: Second Championship Win
In 2022, Max Verstappen won his second Formula 1 championship and overturned the largest points deficit in Formula One history.
2022: Competes in 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual
In 2022, Verstappen competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual on rFactor 2 and further rounds of the 2022-23 Le Mans Virtual Series.
2022: First Dutch Formula One World Champion
In 2022, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to become the first Dutch Formula One World Champion. The circumstances surrounding the safety car period and restart were highly controversial.
2022: Signed a 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.
2023: Bahrain Grand Prix Win
In 2023, Max Verstappen began his season with a win from pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix, continuing his strong performance with Red Bull.
2023: Third Championship Win
In 2023, Max Verstappen won his third Formula 1 championship and broke numerous records.
2023: Retires from Le Mans Virtual
In 2023, Verstappen described the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual competition as a "clown show" after a technical issue saw him retire from the lead, finishing runner-up in the championship.
2023: Enters AMX Global League at Imola
In 2023, Verstappen entered the eighth round of the AMX Global League at Imola, winning the first heat.
2023: Thierry Vermeulen Competes under Verstappen.com Racing Banner
In January 2024, Verstappen tested the Ferrari 296 GT3 alongside Thierry Vermeulen, who in 2023 competed under the Verstappen.com Racing banner.
January 2024: Drives Ferrari 296 GT3 at Portimão
In January 2024, Verstappen drove the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão as part of a test with Emil Frey Racing. He impressed with his driving, being described as "world-class".
January 2024: Wins Daytona 24 Special Event
In January 2024, Verstappen won the Daytona 24 Special Event in the GTD class with Redline.
November 2024: Acura ARX-06 Prototype Test
On 19 November 2024, Verstappen tested the Acura ARX-06 prototype with Honda Racing Corporation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He expressed his desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona and Le Mans.
2024: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Accomplishments
As of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has achieved 63 race wins, 40 pole positions, 33 fastest laps, and 112 podiums in Formula One.
2024: Verstappen Proved to be F1's Best Driver
Following the winning of the 2024 World Driver's Championship, James Elson of Motor Sport stated "if there was any doubt beforehand, 2024 proved that Max Verstappen is F1’s best driver."
2024: Victories and Challenges in 2024
In 2024, Max Verstappen achieved his 60th race win at the Canadian Grand Prix and won the Spanish Grand Prix for the seventh time that season. At the Austrian Grand Prix, he won the sprint but received a time penalty in the main race, finishing fifth. He finished second at the British Grand Prix and fifth at the Hungarian Grand Prix, criticizing his team's strategy. He finished fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix.
2024: Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Wins, Australian Grand Prix Retirement
In 2024, Max Verstappen began the season with a grand slam at the Bahrain Grand Prix and won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, marking his 100th Formula One podium. However, at the Australian Grand Prix, he retired on lap 4 due to a brake fire, ending his nine-race winning streak and 43-race finishing streak.
2024: Fourth Consecutive Title
In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 title after a strong performance, including a wet-weather victory in São Paulo.
2024: Fourth Consecutive Championship Title
In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title after winning nine Grands Prix.
2028: Contracted with Red Bull Until 2028
Max Verstappen is contracted to remain at Red Bull until at least the end of the 2028 season.
