Max Verstappen's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Max Verstappen. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Max Verstappen is a Dutch-Belgian racing driver competing in Formula One for Red Bull Racing under the Dutch flag. He is a four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, winning consecutively from 2021 to 2024. Verstappen has secured 71 Grand Prix victories over 12 seasons, establishing himself as a dominant force in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1991: Honda as first Honda-powered Champion since 1991

In 2022, Honda awarded Verstappen with an NSX Type S, as the first Honda-powered World Drivers' Champion since 1991.

2006: Repeated Success in Mini Junior Championship

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

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

In 2019, Max Verstappen's win in Austria marked the first Honda-powered race victory since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. In Britain, Verstappen was hit by Sebastian Vettel, spinning him into the gravel, but he managed to finish fifth.

2007: Won 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 entered by his father, Verstappen won the Belgian Cadet Championship, the Rotax Max Challenge Belgium, and the Benelux Karting Series in Mini Max class.

2009: Berger echoes Button's comments

In 2009, Gerhard Berger echoed Jenson Button's comments, anointing Max Verstappen as the Formula One driver of this era with the most raw talent. Berger stated that it's not just about raw talent, it's about the whole package, including setting the fastest laps and winning races and championships.

2009: Joined Pex Racing

In 2009, Max Verstappen joined Pex Racing, a CRG customer team. He defended his titles in the Mini Max championships and won the Belgian KF5 Championship.

2011: Won WSK Euro Series

In 2011, Max Verstappen won the WSK Euro Series ahead of Esteban Ocon in a Parilla-powered CRG kart.

2013: Record-Breaking Season in Karting

In 2013, Max Verstappen completed a record-breaking season in karting, winning three CIK-FIA championships in a single season, including the KZ World Championship, becoming the youngest-ever driver to win the gearbox World Championship.

2013: Finished Third at KF World Championship

In 2013, Max Verstappen finished third at the KF World Championship after being disqualified for a move on Nicklas Nielsen. He 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.

2013: Record-Breaking Karting Season

In 2013, Verstappen had a record-breaking karting season. He also progressed directly to FIA European Formula 3.

2014: Drove in FIA Formula 3 European Championship

In 2014, Max Verstappen drove in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing, achieving ten victories and placing third in the overall standings. He became the youngest race winner and polesitter in Formula Three history.

2015: Monaco Grand Prix Collision and Awards

In 2015, at the Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen was involved in a high-speed collision with Romain Grosjean, receiving a grid penalty. He achieved his best finish of the season in Hungary and at the United States Grand Prix. Verstappen received FIA awards for "Rookie of the Year", "Personality of the Year" and "Action of the Year".

May 2016: Verstappen replaces Kvyat at Red Bull Racing and wins Spanish Grand Prix

In May 2016, Max Verstappen replaced Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull Racing starting with the Spanish Grand Prix. Verstappen qualified fourth and won the race, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix. Verstappen displaced Sebastian Vettel as the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix at the age of 18 years and 228 days.

2016: Lauda describes Verstappen as "talent of the century"

Following Max Verstappen's first Formula One win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Niki Lauda described him as the "talent of the century." Additionally, Christian Horner stated that Verstappen is the best driver Red Bull has ever seen.

2016: Promoted to Red Bull and Won Spanish Grand Prix

In 2016, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing and, on debut, won the Spanish Grand Prix at 18, becoming the youngest-ever Formula One Grand Prix winner.

2017: Verstappen's wins at the Malaysian and Mexican Grand Prix

In 2017, Max Verstappen experienced seven retirements in the first 14 races due to mechanical issues and collisions. However, starting with the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017, he achieved success, winning his second Formula One race and later winning the Mexican Grand Prix after passing Sebastian Vettel. He also had a second place finish in Japan and finished third in the United States Grand Prix, but was classified fourth after his final lap overtake was deemed illegal.

2017: Multiple Race Wins

Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins in his 2017 campaign.

2018: Verstappen's Strong second half of the 2018 season

In 2018, Max Verstappen had a strong second half of the season, achieving podium finishes in Belgium, Singapore, Japan, and the United States. He won his fifth career win in Mexico and finished second in Brazil after colliding with Esteban Ocon, resulting in a post-race altercation. He finished third in Abu Dhabi, ending the season in fourth place with 249 points.

2018: Multiple Race Wins

Max Verstappen achieved multiple race wins in his 2018 campaign.

2019: Nico Rosberg describes Verstappen as fastest driver

Following Max Verstappen's first pole position at the 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg described him as the fastest driver in Formula One. Rosberg said that Verstappen did not have the fastest car during the qualifying session in Hungary, and it was Verstappen's speed that allowed him to secure pole position.

2019: Jenson Button states Verstappen is the fastest F1 driver ever

In 2019, Jenson Button stated that Max Verstappen is the fastest Formula One driver ever, highlighting his exceptional speed. Scott Mitchell from The Race noted that Verstappen is the quickest driver in F1 over one lap when everything aligns, but he needs to eliminate occasional mistakes. Helmut Marko also added that Verstappen is the fastest driver Red Bull has ever had.

2019: Verstappen's Pole and Victory in Brazil

In 2019, Max Verstappen qualified in first place in Mexico but received a grid penalty. He later recovered to sixth after a puncture. He achieved a third-place finish in the United States. In Brazil, he secured pole position and claimed his third victory of the season after passing Lewis Hamilton multiple times. He finished the season in third place with 278 points, including three wins, nine podiums, and two pole positions.

October 2020: Verstappen wins Petit Le Mans Special Event

In October 2020, Max Verstappen won the Petit Le Mans Special Event on iRacing.

2020: Button comments on Verstappen's dominance over teammates

In 2020, Jenson Button commented that Max Verstappen has significantly outperformed his teammates compared to other drivers in recent times. Eddie Irvine added that Verstappen is the most dominant team leader on the grid because none of his teammates have come close to him. Jolyon Palmer also suggested that Verstappen's World Championship victory could initiate a new era of dominance in the sport.

2020: Verstappen's 2020 Austrian and Hungarian Grand Prix

In 2020, Max Verstappen started second at the Austrian Grand Prix but retired early due to an electronic issue. At the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2020, he crashed during the formation lap but his mechanics repaired his car, and he recovered to finish second. He won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone after starting fourth.

October 2021: Verstappen voted most popular Formula One driver

In October 2021, Max Verstappen was voted the most popular Formula One driver in a worldwide survey by Nielsen Media Research and Motorsport Network, earning 14.4% of the vote, with success in the United States and Japan. The managing director of Honda praised Verstappen's support during the Dutch Grand Prix.

2021: Alonso Comments on Verstappen's driving talent

Fernando Alonso commented in 2021 that Max Verstappen is the standout driver in Formula One, calling him "one step ahead" of everyone else. Alonso noted that Verstappen deserved to win the 2021 Formula One World Championship ahead of the title decider. Karun Chandhok likened Verstappen's driving style to Michael Schumacher.

2021: Stewart claims Verstappen is fastest driver in Formula One

In 2021, Jackie Stewart claimed that Max Verstappen is the fastest driver in Formula One but is still in the "puppy stage" of his career. Peter Windsor highlighted Verstappen's ability to change direction quickly through Silverstone's corners. Franz Tost declared Verstappen to be the fastest driver following his maiden title win.

2021: Verstappen's rivalry with Hamilton

In 2021, Max Verstappen had a significant rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, with the title battle being compared to other legendary rivalries like the Prost–Senna rivalry. The two drivers swapped leads five times, finished 1-2 in fourteen out of 22 races, and had numerous on-track incidents, culminating in a title decider at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen passed Hamilton on the final lap to win the race and the championship.

2021: Verstappen's first F1 championship win in 2021

In 2021, Max Verstappen won his first F1 championship. He took pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix and finished second after a battle with Lewis Hamilton. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2021, he qualified third but won the race, reducing Hamilton's championship lead to one point.

2021: Won First F1 World Drivers' Championship

In 2021, Max Verstappen won his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship title, becoming the first Dutch champion.

2021: Verstappen's Victories at the United States and Mexico City Grand Prix

In 2021, Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix after taking pole position, extending his championship lead to twelve points. He also won the Mexico City Grand Prix in 2021 after starting third and taking the lead at the start, increasing his championship lead to 19 points.

September 2022: Verstappen appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau

In September 2022, Max Verstappen was appointed an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of his racing achievements.

2022: Tremayne claims Verstappen elevated himself

Following an impressive first half of the 2022 season, David Tremayne claimed that Max Verstappen had elevated himself to a new higher level compared to his 2021 title-winning season, suggesting that his first title had made him more relaxed.

2022: Verstappen and Leclerc battle for championship

In 2022, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battled for the championship at the beginning of the season before Ferrari's performance declined, eventually allowing Red Bull and Verstappen to secure both championships. Verstappen's battles with Leclerc are characterized as cleaner and more respectful.

2022: Breaking his own record

In 2022, Max Verstappen broke his own record by achieving fifteen wins in a single year and also broke his own points-scoring record.

2022: Appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau

In 2022, Max Verstappen was appointed an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

2022: Won Second Championship

In 2022, Max Verstappen won his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship.

2023: Won Third Championship

In 2023, Max Verstappen won his third consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship, breaking numerous records.

January 2024: Verstappen wins Daytona 24 Special Event

In January 2024, Max Verstappen entered the Daytona 24 Special Event, winning the GTD class with Redline. This victory further established him as a leading sim racer.

2024: Elson states Verstappen is F1's best driver

After Max Verstappen won the 2024 World Drivers' Championship in the third-placed RB20, James Elson of Motor Sport stated that "2024 proved that Max Verstappen is F1's best driver", adding that he knows how to win in the race.

2024: Verstappen's Performance in the 2024 Season

In 2024, Max Verstappen continued his racing career, achieving his 60th race win at the Canadian Grand Prix and securing his seventh win at the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite some challenges, he maintained a strong performance throughout the season.

2024: Won Fourth Consecutive F1 World Drivers' Championship

In 2024, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship title with Red Bull Racing, winning nine Grands Prix and receiving acclaim for his performance in São Paulo.

2024: 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Max Verstappen started with a grand slam at the Bahrain Grand Prix and a win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He faced his first retirement since 2022 at the Australian Grand Prix due to a brake fire.

2024: Listed as One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

Max Verstappen was listed in the 2024 issue of Time as one of the 100 most influential people globally.

September 2025: Verstappen makes Nordschleife debut and GT3 race debut and win

In September 2025, Max Verstappen made his competitive debut on the Nordschleife in the seventh round for Lionspeed GP, completing the laps required for a GT3 permit in a horsepower-restricted Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS, finishing seventh in-class. Later that month, Verstappen made his GT3 race debut and won, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 with Chris Lulham in the Nürburgring Endurance Series for Emil Frey Racing.

2025: Benson says Verstappen is regarded as the best driver in the world

By 2025, Andrew Benson of BBC Sport expressed that Max Verstappen was "regarded by almost everyone in [Formula One] as the best driver in the world".

2025: Verstappen's qualifying lap at Japanese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen received widespread acclaim for his pole lap at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, with Andrew Benson of BBC Sport regarding the lap as one of the greatest of all time.