| Car Number | #1 |
| Team | Red Bull Racing |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Born | September 30, 1997 - Hasselt, Belgium |
| Age | 28 |
2026 Season Stats
Career Stats
Biography
Max Emilian Verstappen is a four-time Formula 1 World Champion and one of the most dominant drivers the sport has ever seen - which is what makes his 2026 struggles so remarkable. Born on September 30, 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium, Verstappen is the son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, who began training Max in karting almost as soon as the boy could walk. That early start produced a prodigy who would rewrite the F1 record books.
Verstappen made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015 at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest driver to start a Grand Prix. His promotion to Red Bull Racing during the 2016 season was sensational - he won his very first race for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest race winner in F1 history at 18 years and 228 days. That record still stands today and may never be broken.
The 2021 season saw Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton engage in one of the most intense championship battles in F1 history, with Verstappen claiming his first title on the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi. He followed that with utterly dominant campaigns in 2022 and 2023, winning 15 and then a record 19 races respectively. His 2023 season is widely regarded as the most dominant in F1 history, with Verstappen winning more than 80% of the races. A fourth consecutive championship followed in 2024, though by a narrower margin as Red Bull's advantage began to shrink.
The 2026 season has been a humbling experience for the four-time champion. Red Bull has struggled to adapt to the new regulations, and Verstappen finds himself ninth in the championship with just 12 points after three races - without a podium, pole position, or win. For a driver accustomed to total dominance, this represents the most challenging period of his career since his early Toro Rosso days. Yet nobody in the paddock doubts Verstappen's ability. His raw talent remains unquestioned, and many expect Red Bull to develop their way back to competitiveness as the season progresses. At 28, Verstappen has plenty of time to add to his remarkable championship tally.
Interesting Facts
- Youngest ever F1 race winner at 18 years and 228 days - a record that still stands
- Won a record 19 races in a single season during 2023
- Son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen and former karting driver Sophie Kumpen
- Holds Belgian and Dutch nationality - races under the Dutch flag
- An avid sim racer who regularly competes in virtual endurance events
- Won the 2021 championship on the last lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi
- His 2023 season is statistically the most dominant in F1 history by win percentage