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Who Is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula 1 racing driver who competes for Oracle Red Bull Racing.
He made his Formula 1 debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2015 at 17, becoming the youngest driver to start a Formula 1 race.
In 2016, he moved to Red Bull Racing and won the Spanish Grand Prix in his first race for the team, becoming the youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula 1 history.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Max Emilian Verstappen
- Date of Birth: September 30, 1997
- Age: 29 years
- Birthplace: Hasselt, Belgium
- Nationality: Dutch
- Profession: Formula 1 racing driver
- Current Team: Oracle Red Bull Racing
- Car Number: 3
- Height: 181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
- Weight: Approximately 74 kg
- F1 Debut: 2015
- F1 World Championships: 4
- Grand Prix Wins: 71
- Pole Positions: 48
- Podiums: 134
- Partner: Kelly Piquet
- Children: Lily Verstappen
- Net Worth: $5 million
Early Life and Education
Max Emilian Verstappen was born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium. Motorsport was already a major part of his family. His father, Jos Verstappen, was a former Formula 1 driver who competed from 1994 to 2003. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, was a successful kart racer who competed internationally. Verstappen also has a younger sister, Victoria Verstappen.
Max began driving a small quad bike as a young child before getting behind the wheel of a kart at around four years old. He started competing seriously in karting as a child and progressed rapidly through national and international championships.
His early karting career produced several major successes. By 2013, at age 15, he had won the World KZ Championship and two European karting titles. That same year, he moved into single-seater racing and competed in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2014.
Verstappen’s education was closely connected to his racing development. As his motorsport career accelerated during his teenage years, racing became the central focus of his life.
Career
Max Verstappen began his professional motorsport career in karting before progressing into single-seater racing and eventually Formula 1. His early karting success established him as one of the most promising young drivers in international motorsport. In 2013, he won the World KZ Championship and two European karting championships, achievements that helped attract attention from major racing organizations.
In 2014, Verstappen entered the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and immediately showed he could compete at a high level. He won multiple races that season and later joined the Red Bull Junior Team. At 16, he was selected to move toward Formula 1, becoming one of the youngest drivers ever to enter the championship.
Verstappen made his Formula 1 race debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. At 17 years and 166 days old, he became the youngest driver ever to start a Formula 1 Grand Prix. He finished his debut season with 49 points and 12th place in the Drivers’ Championship.
His first-season performances established him as one of Formula 1’s most closely watched young drivers. In May 2016, Red Bull promoted him from Toro Rosso to its senior Formula 1 team, replacing Daniil Kvyat.
Verstappen made his Red Bull debut at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. He won after a strategic battle with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. At 18 years and 228 days old, Verstappen became the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The victory marked the beginning of a long-term relationship between Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. He continued to collect victories and podium finishes over the following seasons while establishing himself as the team’s leading driver.
In 2019, Verstappen finished third in the Formula 1 World Championship after winning the Austrian, German and Brazilian Grands Prix. He also secured his first Formula 1 pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
He finished third again in the 2020 championship, recording two victories and 11 podium finishes.
The 2021 season produced Verstappen’s first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. He battled Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton throughout the season in one of the most closely contested title battles in recent Formula 1 history. Verstappen eventually secured the championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after passing Hamilton on the final lap, becoming the first Dutch driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship.
Verstappen successfully defended his championship in 2022. He won 15 races during the season and secured his second consecutive title at the Japanese Grand Prix. He finished the season with 454 points.
His 2023 campaign became one of the most statistically dominant seasons in Formula 1 history. Verstappen won 19 of the 22 Grands Prix and established a record of 10 consecutive race victories. He secured his third World Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix and finished the season with 575 points.
In 2024, Verstappen won his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship. Red Bull faced stronger competition during the season, but Verstappen accumulated enough points to secure the title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
His four consecutive championships placed him among the small group of drivers in Formula 1 history to have won at least four World Drivers’ Championships.
The 2025 season produced a much closer championship fight. Verstappen remained with Red Bull and mounted a strong late-season challenge, winning six of the final nine Grands Prix. He ultimately finished second in the Drivers’ Championship behind McLaren driver Lando Norris, missing out on a fifth consecutive title by two points.
Verstappen remained with Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which introduced major technical regulation changes affecting both the cars and power units. He continued alongside Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar.
During the 2026 season, Verstappen continued collecting podium finishes while competing against drivers including George Russell, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc and other leading competitors. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September 2026, he finished second after starting eighth on the grid, narrowly missing victory to Russell.
Red Bull also confirmed in August 2026 that Verstappen had signed a contract extension keeping him with the team through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season.
Away from Formula 1, Verstappen has remained involved in other forms of motorsport and competitive racing. He has participated in sim racing through Team Redline and has competed in endurance racing. In 2026, he took part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with Team Verstappen, sharing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Jules Gounon, Dani Juncadella and Lucas Auer.
Verstappen has also continued participating in karting events and racing activities outside the Formula 1 calendar.
Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous teammates, competitors and members of the wider Red Bull and Formula 1 racing community, including Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Carlos Sainz.
By 2026, Verstappen had established himself as one of the most accomplished drivers of the modern Formula 1 era, with four World Championships, more than 70 Grand Prix victories and numerous Formula 1 records.
Personal Life
Max Verstappen is in a relationship with Kelly Piquet, the Brazilian model and daughter of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet.
Verstappen and Piquet publicly confirmed their relationship in late 2020. Piquet has a daughter named Penelope, from her previous relationship with former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
In December 2024, Verstappen and Piquet announced that they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter, Lily, was born on May 2, 2025.
Verstappen has remained closely connected to motorsport outside Formula 1. His father, Jos, has been an important influence throughout his racing career, while his mother, Sophie Kumpen, also comes from a competitive karting background.
The driver is also known for his interest in sim racing and esports. He has participated in online racing through Team Redline, competing in endurance and virtual racing events alongside professional sim racers.
Social Media Handles
- Instagram: @maxverstappen1
- X: @Max33Verstappen
- Facebook: Max Verstappen
Net Worth
Max Verstappen’s exact net worth is estimated at around $5 million. As one of Formula 1’s highest-profile drivers, his income comes from his Red Bull Racing contract, race-related earnings, sponsorships, endorsements and commercial partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula 1 racing driver who competes for Oracle Red Bull Racing and has won four Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships.
- How old is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen was born on September 30, 1997, making him 28 years old in September 2026.
- Where was Max Verstappen born?
He was born in Hasselt, Belgium.
- What nationality is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is Dutch.
- How tall is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is 181 cm tall, or approximately 5 feet 11 inches.
- How many F1 World Championships has Max Verstappen won?
He has won four Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
- When did Max Verstappen make his F1 debut?
He made his Formula 1 race debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
- What team does Max Verstappen drive for?
He drives for Oracle Red Bull Racing.
- How many F1 races has Max Verstappen won?
As of September 2026, Verstappen has 71 Formula 1 Grand Prix victories.
- Who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend?
His partner is Kelly Piquet, the daughter of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet.
- Does Max Verstappen have children?
Yes. He and Kelly Piquet have a daughter named Lily, who was born in May 2025.
- Who is Max Verstappen’s father?
His father is Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver who competed from 1994 to 2003.
- Who is Max Verstappen’s mother?
His mother is Sophie Kumpen, a former successful kart racer.
- What number does Max Verstappen use in Formula 1?
Verstappen currently races with car number 3.
- What is Max Verstappen’s net worth?
Max Verstappen’s exact net worth is estimated at around $5 million.
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