Max Verstappen

Max Emilian Verstappen was born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium, to former F1 driver Jos Verstappen and former karting champion Sophie Kumpen. Racing was quite literally in his blood, and he began karting at the age of four. He dominated the junior karting ranks, winning numerous European and world titles before making the leap to single-seaters.

Verstappen skipped Formula 3 entirely and went straight from the Florida Winter Series and FIA European Formula 3 to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2015, at just 17 years old — making him the youngest ever F1 driver. His debut season was marked by aggressive overtaking and remarkable car control that belied his age, immediately drawing comparisons to the all-time greats.

In May 2016, Red Bull made the stunning decision to promote Verstappen to the senior team mid-season, replacing Daniil Kvyat. In what became one of the greatest debut stories in F1 history, Verstappen won his very first race for Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest ever Grand Prix winner at 18 years and 228 days old. Over the following seasons, he continued to develop, regularly taking victories and podiums even when Red Bull's car wasn't the fastest.

The 2021 season produced one of the greatest championship battles in F1 history. Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton traded victories and controversies throughout the year in a titanic struggle. The championship was decided at the final race in Abu Dhabi in hugely controversial circumstances involving a late safety car, with Verstappen overtaking Hamilton on the last lap to claim his first World Championship.

Verstappen's 2022 season was dominant despite a slow start — he won 15 of 22 races, breaking the record for most wins in a single season. His 2023 campaign was even more extraordinary: he won 19 of 22 races, an almost unprecedented level of dominance that drew comparisons to the most one-sided seasons in F1 history. He secured his third consecutive title with races to spare.

The 2024 season was more challenging as Red Bull faced stiffer competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Verstappen still won his fourth consecutive title, but it required the kind of gritty, determined performances that reminded everyone of his racecraft. His battles with Norris and others produced some of the most exciting racing of the season.

For 2026, Verstappen races with the number 3 after Norris took the champion's number 1. His extraordinary car control, particularly in wet conditions, his aggressive but calculated racing style, and his uncompromising will to win have established him as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, with many believing he will eventually surpass Hamilton's record of seven titles.