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 highly successful Dutch-Belgian Formula One driver racing for Red Bull Racing. He has secured four consecutive World Drivers' Championship titles from 2021 to 2024. Throughout his 11 seasons in Formula One, Verstappen has achieved an impressive 65 Grand Prix victories, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1996: Damon Hill wins World Championship

In 1996, Damon Hill won the World Drivers' Championship

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

In Austria in 2006, Verstappen started third but suffered a poor start, dropping down to eighth. After a charge towards the front, he made his way up to second before controversially passing Leclerc for the lead of the race with three laps to go. This marked the first Honda-powered race victory since the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

2009: Berger echoes Button's comments in 2009

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.

2013: Further Karting Success

In 2013, Max Verstappen also finished third at the KF World Championship and 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, Max Verstappen completed a record-breaking season in karting, winning three CIK-FIA championships: two European Championships and a World Championship. He became the youngest-ever driver to win the gearbox World Championship.

2015: Awards at FIA Prize Giving Ceremony

In 2015, Verstappen regularly finished in the points and achieved his best finish of the season in Hungary by finishing fourth. At the end of the season, Verstappen received three awards at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony, including "Rookie of the Year".

May 2016: Promotion to Red Bull Racing

On 5 May 2016, Red Bull Racing announced that Max Verstappen would be replacing Daniil Kvyat from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. Verstappen went on to win the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix.

2016: Verstappen's Maiden Formula One win in 2016

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

2016: Promotion to Red Bull and Spanish Grand Prix Win

In 2016, Max Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull after four rounds and, on debut for Red Bull, won the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest-ever driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix at 18 years old.

2017: Multiple Race Wins

In 2017, Verstappen achieved multiple race wins, marking a successful campaign in Formula One.

2018: Multiple Race Wins

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

2019: Rosberg's praise after Hungarian Grand Prix

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 Verstappen's raw speed over the car's capabilities.

2019: Button's opinion on Verstappen's Speed in 2019

In 2019, Jenson Button stated that he believes Verstappen is the fastest Formula One driver ever. Scott Mitchell commented on Verstappen's speed but noted the need to eliminate mistakes.

2019: Third in World Drivers' Championship

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

2020: Third in World Drivers' Championship

In 2020, Verstappen finished third in the World Drivers' Championship for the second consecutive year under Honda power.

October 2021: Verstappen Voted Most Popular Formula One Driver

In October 2021, Max Verstappen was voted the most popular Formula One driver in an official worldwide survey conducted by Nielsen Media Research and Motorsport Network.

2021: Alonso Comments on Verstappen's Performance

In 2021, Fernando Alonso declared Max Verstappen the standout driver in Formula One, considering him "one step ahead" of everyone and deserving of the World Championship.

2021: Verstappen's skill recognized in 2021

In 2021, Jackie Stewart claimed that Verstappen is the fastest driver in Formula One, while Peter Windsor highlighted his quick directional changes. Franz Tost declared Verstappen to be the fastest driver after his maiden title. James Elson declared Verstappen as F1’s best driver.

2021: M. Verstappen

In 2021, M. Verstappen won.

2021: First Formula One World Drivers' Championship

In 2021, Max Verstappen won his maiden Formula One World Drivers' Championship, becoming the first champion from the Netherlands after overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the last race of the season.

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: Verstappen Tests Honda NSX-GT and Awarded NSX Type S

During the 2022 Honda Racing Thanks Day event at Motegi, Max Verstappen tested the Honda NSX-GT and was awarded an NSX Type S after winning the event's kart race.

2022: M. Verstappen

In 2022, M. Verstappen won.

2022: Breaking Records in 2022

In 2022, Max Verstappen broke his own record by achieving nineteen wins in the season. He also surpassed his previous points-scoring record, accumulating 575 points, more than double that of second-placed Pérez.

2022: Appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau

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

2022: Second Consecutive World Championship

In 2022, Verstappen won his second consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship, overturning the largest points deficit in Formula One history.

2022: Tremayne Claims Verstappen Elevated Himself to a New Higher Level

In 2022, journalist David Tremayne claimed that Max Verstappen had elevated himself to a new higher level compared to his 2021 title-winning season, suggesting his first title had made him more relaxed.

2023: M. Verstappen

In 2023, M. Verstappen won.

2023: Third Consecutive World Championship

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

2024: Praise for Championship Win in 2024

After winning the 2024 World Drivers' Championship, James Elson of Motor Sport stated that Max Verstappen is F1’s best driver.

2024: M. Verstappen

In 2024, M. Verstappen won.

2024: Fourth Consecutive World Championship

In 2024, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship after winning nine Grands Prix, including a wet-weather performance in São Paulo.

2024: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People

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

2025: Verstappen Regarded as Best Driver in Formula One

By 2025, Max Verstappen was almost universally regarded as the best driver in Formula One, according to Andrew Benson of BBC Sport.

2025: 2025 Season Performance

In 2025, Red Bull trailed McLaren in performance. Max Verstappen finished second at the Australian Grand Prix, third in the sprint and fourth in the main race in China. He claimed pole and victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. He finished sixth in Bahrain and second in Saudi Arabia after a penalty. He finished fourth in the Miami sprint and fourth in the main race.

2025: Acclaim for Japanese Grand Prix Lap in 2025

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