History of Max Verstappen in Timeline
Max Verstappen is a Dutch-Belgian racing driver currently competing in Formula One for Red Bull Racing under the Dutch flag. He is a four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, winning the titles consecutively from 2021 to 2024. As of 2024, he has secured 64 Grand Prix victories across 11 seasons in Formula One, establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.
1983: Nelson Piquet's achievement
In 1983, Nelson Piquet became the first driver to win a title driving for a third-placed team in the World Constructors' Championship, a feat later matched by Max Verstappen.
1988: McLaren's record broken
In 1988, McLaren set a record of fifteen consecutive wins, which Max Verstappen's Red Bull team would later break.
September 1997: Max Verstappen Born
In September 1997, Max Emilian Verstappen was born. He is a Dutch and Belgian racing driver who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One for Red Bull Racing.
2004: Abu Dhabi victory breaks record
In 2022, Abu Dhabi was Max Verstappen's fifteenth victory of the year, breaking 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 Max Verstappen competed in the Mini Junior championship of Limburg, Belgium and won the VAS Championship.
2006: Repeated VAS Championship success
In 2006, Max Verstappen repeated his success by winning the VAS Championship.
2006: First Honda-powered race victory since 2006
In Austria in 2019, Max Verstappen controversially passed Leclerc for the lead of the race with three laps to go, marking the first Honda-powered race victory since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.
2007: Rotax Max Mini Max Success
In 2007, Verstappen graduated to the Rotax Max Mini Max class and won the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium and the Dutch Championship.
2008: Belgian Cadet Champion
In 2008, racing in a CRG kart, 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
In 2019, Verstappen finished third in Australia, which marked the first podium finish for a Honda-powered driver since the 2008 British Grand Prix.
2009: Joined Pex Racing
In 2009, Verstappen joined Pex Racing, a CRG customer team, defended his Mini Max titles, and won the Belgian KF5 Championship.
2010: Signed by CRG
In 2010, 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: Won the WSK Euro Series
In 2011, Verstappen won the WSK Euro Series ahead of Esteban Ocon in a Parilla-powered CRG kart.
July 2012: Leaves Intrepid
In July 2012, Verstappen left Intrepid and after a short stint with CRG-built Zanardi karts, Verstappen returned to the factory CRG team.
August 2013: Formula Racing Experience
In August 2013, 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: Formula Three and Renault Tests
In December 2013, Verstappen tested a Dallara F311 Formula Three car run by Motopark Academy and also had an additional Formula Renault test at Circuito de Jerez, showcasing faster lap times than experienced drivers.
2013: Sebastian Vettel's record broken
In 2013, Sebastian Vettel set a record of nine consecutive wins, which Max Verstappen would later break.
2013: Finished third at the KF World Championship
In 2013, Verstappen finished third at the KF World Championship after being disqualified for a move on Nicklas Nielsen in the final race. He also won the South Garda Winter Cup in KF2.
2013: Record-breaking Karting Season
In 2013, Verstappen had a record-breaking karting season, progressing to senior KF and KZ categories.
2013: Abu Dhabi victory breaks record
In 2022, Abu Dhabi was Max Verstappen's fifteenth victory of the year, breaking the record of thirteen race wins in a season shared by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
January 2014: Racing Debut Announcement
On 16 January 2014, it was announced that Verstappen would make his racing debut in the non-championship Florida Winter Series.
August 2014: Joined Red Bull Junior Team
In August 2014, Verstappen joined the Red Bull Junior Team after testing a Formula Renault 3.5 car.
2014: FIA Formula 3 European Championship
In 2014, Verstappen drove in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing. He achieved 10 victories and placed third in the overall standings.
2015: Full-time seat at Toro Rosso
As part of his preparation for a full-time seat at Toro Rosso in the 2015 season, Verstappen replaced Jean-Éric Vergne during the first practice session at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
2015: Collision at Monaco Grand Prix
At the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen was involved in a high-speed collision with Romain Grosjean, receiving a five-place grid penalty.
2015: Awards at FIA Prize Giving Ceremony
At the end of the 2015 season, Verstappen received three awards at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony: "Rookie of the Year", "Personality of the Year", and "Action of the Year".
2015: Grand Prix Debut and First Points
In 2015, Verstappen made his Grand Prix debut as a full-time driver for Toro Rosso at the Australian Grand Prix, and scored his first Formula One points at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
2015: Signed for Toro Rosso
In 2015, 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
On 5 May 2016, Red Bull Racing announced that Verstappen would be replacing Daniil Kvyat from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. He 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's Podium Finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix
During the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen, despite challenges like a near-crash and being in 16th place with 15 laps remaining, executed several overtakes to finish third, earning praise and criticism from rivals.
2016: Lauda and Horner on Verstappen's talent
Following his maiden Formula One win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Niki Lauda described Verstappen as the "talent of the century," and Christian Horner stated that Verstappen is the best driver Red Bull had ever seen.
2016: Promoted to Red Bull and First Grand Prix Win
In 2016, after four rounds, 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: 2016 Season at Toro Rosso
Verstappen began the 2016 season at Toro Rosso, alongside Sainz. He finished tenth at the opening race of the season in Australia.
2017: 2017 Season Challenges
During the first 14 races of the 2017 season, Verstappen faced numerous challenges including seven retirements due to mechanical issues and collisions, but managed a third-place finish in China and several other top-five finishes.
2017: Multiple Race Wins
In 2017, Verstappen achieved multiple race wins during his Formula One campaign.
2017: Verstappen's surge of success from the Malaysian Grand Prix onward
Starting with the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, Max Verstappen experienced a surge of success, securing his second Formula One victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, finishing second in Japan, and winning his third Formula One race at the Mexican Grand Prix.
2018: Marko on Verstappen's progress over Ricciardo
In 2018, Helmut Marko asserted that Verstappen's progress had moved him clear of his former Formula 1 team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, in both qualifying and race trim.
2018: Multiple Race Wins
In 2018, Verstappen achieved multiple race wins during his Formula One campaign.
2018: Incident-filled start to the 2018 season
In the first six races of the 2018 season, Max Verstappen was involved in at least one incident in each race, including damaging his car in Australia and colliding with Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain.
2018: Strong second half of the 2018 season
Max Verstappen had a strong second half of the 2018 season, achieving multiple podium finishes, including a win in Mexico, but also faced challenges like a collision with Esteban Ocon at the Brazilian Grand Prix and a penalty for pushing Ocon after the race.
2019: Nico Rosberg praises Verstappen's speed
Following Max Verstappen's maiden pole position at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg described him as the fastest driver in Formula One, emphasizing his raw speed.
2019: Jenson Button on Verstappen's speed
In 2019, Jenson Button stated that he believes Verstappen is the fastest Formula One driver ever.
2019: Verstappen's 2019 season
In 2019, Max Verstappen finished third in the championship with 278 points, claiming three race victories, nine podium finishes, two pole positions, and three fastest laps.
2019: Third in World Drivers' Championship
In 2019, Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.
2019: 2019 Season Performances
In 2019, during the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen topped all practice sessions and took pole position. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he started strong and finished in the lead, ahead of rival Hamilton. These strong performances built to the final Portuguese Grand Prix, where he finished second after battling with Hamilton, and the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished second with the fastest lap, increasing Hamilton's championship lead.
2019: Championship Points Record
In 2022, Max Verstappen won the championship with 454 points, beating Lewis Hamilton's 2019 record of 413.
2020: 2020 Austrian Grand Prix Retirement
At the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen started second but retired early in the race due to a flywheel-related electronic issue within the power unit.
2020: Jenson Button on Verstappen's dominance over teammates
During the 2020 season, Jenson Button stated that he does not "think there's been a driver that's annihilated their teammates like he [Verstappen] has in a very long time."
2020: Verstappen's podium finishes and retirements in 2020
In 2020, Max Verstappen clinched second place at the Spanish Grand Prix, scored a podium at the Belgian Grand Prix, suffered consecutive DNFs at the Italian and Tuscan Grands Prix, finished second at the Russian and Eifel Grand Prix, and experienced a puncture at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
2020: Verstappen's 2020 season
In 2020, Max Verstappen finished third in the championship with 214 points, claiming two race victories, eleven podium finishes, one pole position, and three fastest laps.
2020: Verstappen's recovery and victory in 2020
In 2020, Max Verstappen recovered from a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix to finish second and won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.
2020: Third in World Drivers' Championship
In 2020, Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship under Honda power.
2021: Jackie Stewart on Verstappen's potential
In 2021, Jackie Stewart claimed that Verstappen is the fastest driver in Formula One but added that he is still in the "puppy stage" of his career.
2021: Verstappen ranked first in F1
In 2021, Max Verstappen was ranked first in the annual Formula One team principals' top ten drivers ranking.
2021: Verstappen's Victories in the US and Mexico
In 2021, Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix after taking pole position and extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship. He also won the Mexico City Grand Prix after starting third and taking the lead at the start.
2021: First Formula One World Drivers' Championship Title
In 2021, Verstappen won his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull Racing.
March 2022: Verstappen Signs Contract Extension
In March 2022, Max Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing for the 2023 to 2028 seasons.
2022: Retirement at the Australian Grand Prix
During the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had his first retirement since the 2022 edition of the race due to a brake fire, ending his nine-race winning streak.
2022: Breaking records again
In 2022, Max Verstappen broke his own record of fifteen wins in a year and also broke his own points-scoring record.
2022: Verstappen Wins 2021 World Championship Amidst Controversy
In 2022, Max Verstappen entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tied in points with Hamilton, qualified on pole, and ultimately won the race and the World Drivers' Championship in a controversial final lap, leading to protests and rule changes.
2022: Appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau
In 2022, Verstappen was appointed an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
2022: Second Championship Title
In 2022, Verstappen won his second Formula One World Championship overturning the largest points deficit in Formula One history.
2023: Third Championship Title
In 2023, Verstappen secured his third consecutive Formula One World Championship title, breaking numerous records.
2023: Contract Extension and Number Change
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing from the 2023 to 2028 seasons, and from this season onward, he would use the number 1 instead of his regular number 33 as the reigning world champion.
2024: James Elson proclaims Max Verstappen as F1's best driver
After winning the 2024 World Drivers' 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 for the seventh time at the Spanish Grand Prix. He won the sprint in Austria but collided with Norris, receiving a time penalty. He finished second at the British Grand Prix and fifth at the Hungarian Grand Prix after a collision with Hamilton.
2024: Fourth Consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship Title
In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull Racing.
2024: Verstappen's 2024 season
In 2024, Max Verstappen started the season with a grand slam at the Bahrain Grand Prix and another pole and victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He matched Ayrton Senna's record of eight consecutive poles at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. However, his pole streak ended at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished sixth.
2024: Listed as Influential Person
In the 2024 issue, Verstappen was listed in Time as one of the 100 most influential people globally.
2025: Achieved Racing Statistics
As of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen has achieved 64 race wins, 43 pole positions, 33 fastest laps and 115 podiums in Formula One.
2025: Praise for Verstappen's pole lap
In 2025, Verstappen received widespread acclaim for his surprise pole lap at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Andrew Benson of BBC Sport commenting that it was one of the greatest of all time.
2028: Contracted to Red Bull
As of 2028, Verstappen is contracted to remain at Red Bull until at least the end of the season.
2028: Contract Extension and Number Change
In March 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year contract extension with Red Bull Racing from the 2023 to 2028 seasons, and from this season onward, he would use the number 1 instead of his regular number 33 as the reigning world champion.
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