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 and Belgian Formula One driver racing under the Dutch flag for Red Bull Racing. He is a four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, securing consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024. Known for his aggressive driving style and exceptional racecraft, Verstappen has accumulated 63 Grand Prix wins over 11 seasons, establishing himself as one of the dominant forces in contemporary Formula One racing.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1991: Honda powered world drivers champion

In 2022, Max Verstappen was the first Honda-powered World Drivers' Champion since 1991.

1996: Damon Hill likened Verstappen to Dick Dastardly

Following the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix, 1996 World Drivers' Champion Damon Hill characterised Max Verstappen's tactics as reminiscent of Wacky Races antagonist Dick Dastardly.

2005: Competed in Mini Junior Championship

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: First Honda-powered race victory since 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix

During the Austrian Grand Prix in 2019, Max Verstappen secured a controversial victory, marking the first Honda-powered race victory since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

2006: Repeated Success in Championships

In 2006, Max Verstappen repeated his success in the Mini Junior championship.

2007: Graduation to 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 in that category.

2008: Won Belgian Cadet Championship

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 for Honda-powered driver since 2008 British Grand Prix

In 2019, Max Verstappen's third-place finish in the Australian Grand Prix marked the first podium finish for a Honda-powered driver since the 2008 British Grand Prix.

2009: Joined Pex Racing and Defended Titles

In 2009, Max Verstappen joined Pex Racing and defended his titles in the Mini Max championships, also winning the Belgian KF5 Championship.

2010: Signed by CRG for International Karting

In 2010, Max Verstappen was signed by CRG to race in their factory team and stepped up to international karting. He finished second to Alexander Albon at the KF3 World Cup, but won the WSK Euro Series and the WSK World Series.

2011: Won WSK Euro Series

In 2011, Max Verstappen won the WSK Euro Series ahead of Esteban Ocon in a Parilla-powered CRG kart. However, he finished 14th in the European Championship and got taken out in the World Cup by Charles Leclerc.

July 2012: Departure from Intrepid

In July 2012, it was announced that Max Verstappen would leave Intrepid. He returned to the factory CRG team after a short stint with CRG-built Zanardi karts.

October 2013: First Experience in a Racing Car

On 11 October 2013, Max Verstappen's first experience in a racing car was at the Pembrey Circuit. He drove 160 laps in a Barazi-Epsilon FR2.0–10 Formula Renault car provided by MP Motorsport.

December 2013: Formula 3 Testing

In December 2013, Max Verstappen tested a Dallara F311 Formula 3 car run by Motopark Academy and participated in additional Formula Renault tests at Circuito de Jerez and Circuit Ricardo Tormo near Valencia.

2013: Record-Breaking Karting Season

In 2013, Max Verstappen completed a record-breaking season in karting, progressing to the senior KF and KZ categories. He won three CIK-FIA championships in a single season: two European Championships and a World Championship.

2013: Additional Accolades in Karting

In 2013, Max Verstappen finished third at the KF World Championship. Verstappen also won 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.

January 2014: Racing Debut in Florida Winter Series

On 16 January 2014, it was announced that Max Verstappen would make his racing debut in the non-championship Florida Winter Series. He won the race at Palm Beach International Raceway on February 5 and another race at Homestead–Miami Speedway a few weeks later.

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. He also considered an offer from Mercedes to join their driver development programme.

2014: FIA Formula 3 European Championship

In 2014, Max Verstappen drove in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing. He achieved 10 victories in total and placed third in the overall standings.

2015: Collision at Monaco Grand Prix

At the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was involved in a high-speed collision with Romain Grosjean, resulting in a five-place grid penalty.

2015: Preparation for Full-Time Seat at Toro Rosso

During the first practice session at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen replaced Jean-Éric Vergne as part of his preparation for a full-time seat at Toro Rosso in the 2015 season.

2015: Best Finish and FIA Awards

In 2015, Max Verstappen achieved his best finish of the season in Hungary, finishing fourth, and equalled this result at the United States Grand Prix. He also received three awards at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony: "Rookie of the Year", "Personality of the Year", and "Action of the Year".

2015: Formula One Debut and First Points

In 2015, Max Verstappen joined Toro Rosso's race drivers' line-up and made his Grand Prix debut at the Australian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to start a World Championship race. He scored his first Formula One points at the subsequent race in Malaysia, finishing seventh.

2015: Signed for Toro Rosso

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

May 2016: Promotion to Red Bull Racing and First F1 Victory

On 5 May 2016, Red Bull Racing announced that Max Verstappen would be replacing Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix at 18 years and 228 days.

2016: 2016 Season with Toro Rosso

In 2016, Max Verstappen began the season at Toro Rosso, qualifying fifth for the opening race in Australia. He finished tenth after a collision with his teammate. He finished sixth at the following race in Bahrain, scoring Toro Rosso's first-ever points at the Sakhir circuit.

2016: Promotion to Red Bull and First Grand Prix Win

In 2016, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull after four rounds. On his debut for Red Bull, aged 18, Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest-ever driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.

2017: Multiple Race Wins

In 2017, Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins during his Formula One campaign.

2018: Multiple Race Wins

In 2018, Max Verstappen continued to achieve multiple race wins during his Formula One campaign.

2019: Third in World Drivers' Championship

In 2019, Max Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.

2019: Red Bull switches to Honda power units and Verstappen's performance

In 2019, Red Bull transitioned from Renault to Honda power units, and Verstappen was partnered with Pierre Gasly following Ricciardo's move to Renault. Verstappen achieved a third-place finish in Australia, marking the first podium for a Honda-powered driver since 2008. He narrowly missed another third-place finish in Bahrain due to a late safety car. He secured another podium finish in Spain, placing third. However, in Monaco, a pit stop incident resulted in a penalty, dropping him to fourth place despite crossing the line in second.

2019: Verstappen's Performance in early 2021 Races

In early 2021, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen secured pole position but finished second after a strategic battle with Hamilton. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he won after overtaking Hamilton at the start. He finished second in the Portuguese Grand Prix and the Spanish Grand Prix, trailing Hamilton in both races.

2019: Verstappen's 2019 Season Results

In the 2019 season, Max Verstappen finished third in the championship standings with a total of 278 points. Throughout the season, he achieved three race victories, secured nine podium finishes, earned two pole positions, and recorded three fastest laps.

2020: Third in World Drivers' Championship

In 2020, Max Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.

2021: Criticism after Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Following the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen faced criticism for the penalties he incurred during the race. Former Formula One driver Martin Brundle commented on Verstappen's driving, noting the confusion and controversies generated by his actions, while drawing parallels to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

2021: First Formula One World Drivers' Championship Title

In 2021, Max Verstappen won his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull Racing.

2022: Honda Racing Thanks Day event at Motegi

During the 2022 Honda Racing Thanks Day event at Motegi, Max Verstappen tested the Honda NSX-GT. After winning the event's kart race alongside Marc Márquez, Honda awarded Verstappen—the first Honda-powered World Drivers' Champion since 1991—with an NSX Type S.

2022: Elevation to a new higher level

Following an impressive first half of the 2022 season, journalist David Tremayne suggested that Max Verstappen had elevated himself to a new higher level compared to his 2021 title winning season, indicating that Verstappen's first title had made him more relaxed and "chirpy".

2022: Record breaking year for Verstappen

In 2022, Max Verstappen broke his own record by achieving fifteen wins.

2022: Founded Verstappen.com Racing

In 2022, Max Verstappen founded Verstappen.com Racing, supporting Thierry Vermeulen.

2022: Record breaking points

In 2022, Max Verstappen scored more points than double that of second-placed Pérez, beating his own points-scoring record from 2022.

2022: Second Championship Title

In 2022, Max Verstappen won his second Formula One World Championship, overcoming the largest points deficit in Formula One history.

2023: Third Consecutive Championship Title

In 2023, Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive Formula One World Championship, breaking numerous records throughout the season.

2023: Thierry Vermeulen competed under the Verstappen.com Racing banner

In January 2024, Max Verstappen drove the Ferrari 296 GT3 at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, as part of a two-day test with Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters team Emil Frey Racing alongside Thierry Vermeulen, who competed under the Verstappen.com Racing banner in 2023.

January 2024: Drove Ferrari 296 GT3 at Algarve International Circuit

November 2024: Drove Acura ARX-06 prototype

On 19 November 2024, Max Verstappen tested the Acura ARX-06 with Honda Racing Corporation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

2024: Condemnation after Mexico City Grand Prix

Following the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix, Max Verstappen faced widespread condemnation from fans and media for incidents involving Lando Norris, leading to time penalties. His tactics were compared to those of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

2024: Fourth Consecutive Championship Title

In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2025: Achievements as of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix

As of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had achieved 63 race wins, 40 pole positions, 33 fastest laps, and 113 podiums in Formula One.

2025: Verstappen.com expands into GT World Challenge Europe

In 2025, Verstappen.com Racing expanded into GT World Challenge Europe, with Chris Lulham competing alongside Thierry Vermeulen and Harry King driving the Ferrari 296 GT3 and the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo.