Max Verstappen is Red Bull’s second World Champion. As the youngest driver to ever start a Grand Prix, Verstappen has always been seen as the youngster on the grid. His aggressive driving style makes him incredibly fast, and he has often been compared to the likes of Ayrton Senna.
1. When & Where Was Max Verstappen Born?
Max Emilian Verstappen was born on the 30th of September in 1997 in the town of Hasselt in Belgium. Hasselt is the capital and largest city in the province of Limburg, which is the Flemish region of Belgium. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, drove karts and eventually Formula A, while his father Jos was also an F1 driver.
Max has a sister called Victoria, along with three younger half-siblings from his father (more on him below) called Blue Jaye, Jason Jaxx and Mila Faye. His dad is Dutch while his mother also comes from Hasselt, but Max drives under the flag of Holland. This is because he “feels more Dutch.”
“I actually only lived in Belgium to sleep, but during the day I went to the Netherlands and had my friends there too. I was raised as a Dutch person and that’s how I feel.”
– Max Verstappen in 2015 on choosing to race under the Dutch flag
2. Who Is Max Verstappen’s Dad?
Johannes “Jos” Franciscus Verstappen is Max Verstappen’s father. Jos Verstappen is a Dutch former racing driver who competed in Formula 1 between the years of 1994 and 2003. Jos Verstappen has 107 race entries (106 starts) with two podiums and 17 career points.
Jos had an average career, being largely overshadowed by famous teammates like Michael Schumacher. He also ran into many technical difficulties too, managing to finish just one of the 5 races he entered in 1995.
Jos Verstappen’s F1 Career
| Years Active | 1994-1998, 2000-2001, 2003 |
| Race Starts | 106 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 2 |
| Points | 17 |
3. What Is Max Verstappen’s Zodiac Sign?
Max Verstappen’ Zodiac sign is Libra. As a Libra, this puts him alongside many other famous Libra celebrities including Zac Efron, Kim Kardashian, Eminem, and Will Smith. Other F1 drivers with the Libra star sign include:
- Charles Leclerc
- Kevin Magnussen
- Mika Hakkinen
- Kimi Räikkönen
- Heikki Kovalainen
4. Max Verstappen Height & Weight
Max Verstappen’s height is 1.81 meters (5 feet 11 inches). This is relatively tall compared to the rest of the grid. Max also weighs only 72 kilograms (159 lbs) which is in a similar range to the rest of the grid.
Max Verstappen’s Height & Weight Compared To Other Drivers
| Driver | Height | Weight |
| Max Verstappen | 1.81 m / 5’11” | 72 kg / 159 lbs |
| Lewis Hamilton | 1.74 m / 5’9″ | 73 kg / 161 lbs |
| George Russell | 1.85 m / 6’1” | 70 kg / 154 lbs |
| Charles Leclerc | 1.80 m / 5’11” | 69 kg / 152 lbs |
| Yuki Tsunoda | 1.59 m / 5’3” | 54 kg / 119 lbs |
5. Where Did Max Verstappen Go To School?
Max Verstappen went to St Ursula School in Maaseik, Belgium. Max Verstappen left school at the age of 15 when it became difficult to mix school and racing. The Dutchman made it to Formula 1 just two years later, becoming the sport’s youngest ever driver.
6. When Did Max Verstappen Start Karting?
Max Verstappen started karting at the age of 4. Verstappen took part in his first race in 2003 at the age of 6 and often raced at the Genk circuit in Belgium. Genk is one of the best karting circuits in the world, often hosting huge international events.
Max took on his first karting championship in 2005, and he won all 21 races of that season’s Belgium Championship Mini (VAS)! Max’s karting championship wins include the following:
- 5 x Rotax Max
- 2 x Belgian Championship
- WSK KF3 Nations Cup, World Series and Euro Series in 2010
- CIK-FIA World and European KZ Championship in 2013
- CIK-FIA European Championship KF in 2013
Max Verstappen won 23 karting championships between 2005 and 2013
7. Did Max Verstappen Do Karting With Charles Leclerc?
Max Verstappen did do karting with Charles Leclerc, as they both took up the sport at around the same time. The two of them even met on track a couple of times, with one particular race becoming famous for an incident between the two drivers forcing each other off track.
The video below became famous in the F1 world when the two drivers once again found themselves battling each other at the front of the pack during most races of the 2022 season.
8. Did Max Verstappen Race In F4?
Max Verstappen did not race in Formula 4. Instead, he raced in Formula Renault, which is an equivalent of F4. After karting, Verstappen raced in the Florida Winter Series in 2014, winning two races in the series against drivers who had more experience in the category.
During his final years of karting, Verstappen tested several cars, showing his abilities immediately. This eventually led to him joining the Red Bull Junior Team in late 2014, leading to his first F1 race the following year.
9. Was Max Verstappen In F3?
Max Verstappen did race the European Formula 3 Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing. At the age of just 16, Max broke a record by scoring 6 consecutive wins and recording a total of 10 victories during the season, resulting in a third-placed finish overall (as he had 8 retirements and 1 DNS).
Max Verstappen’s Junior Racing Record
| Series (2014) | Races | Wins | Podiums | Position |
| Florida Winter Series | 12 | 2 | 5 | – |
| FIA European Formula 3 Championship | 33 | 10 | 16 | 3rd |
| Macau Grand Prix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7th |
| Zandvoort Masters | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1st |
10. Was Max Verstappen In F2?
Max Verstappen did not participate in F2. Following his debut in race cars at the Formula Renault Florida Winter Series, the Dutchman went on to participate in Formula 3. The next step in his career would have been Formula 2, but he was called up to race for Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in F1 in 2015.
11. Why Did Max Verstappen Skip F2?
Max Verstappen skipped F2 because he was part of the Red Bull Junior Program, and he was selected for the Toro Rosso driver line up for the 2015 season because of his F3 performance. There was no Super License points requirements at the time, which meant Max could skip F2 and go straight to F1.
Max may not have won the Formula 3 championship, but it was just his first year out of karts, and he still managed to impress against some more experienced competition. Despite his reliability issues during that season, he still won an astonishing 10 races. He also has an impressive karting record as we discussed earlier, and this all made for a very convincing case for an F1 seat.
“The moment I thought [he was] something really special was at the Norisring. In mixed conditions – it was more wet than dry – he was per lap two seconds and more faster than anyone else.”
– Red Bull’s Helmut Marko on Max Verstappen in 2014
12. Does Max Verstappen Have A Driver’s License?
Max Verstappen does currently have a driver’s license for road cars. However, when he entered Formula 1 in 2015, the Dutchman was only 17, too young to complete his driver’s test and acquire a road car license despite racing in the pinnacle of motorsport.
13. When Did Max Verstappen Get Into F1?
Max Verstappen first drove a Formula 1 car in an official session at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Aged just 17 years and three days, Max became the youngest driver in history to participate in a Formula 1 race weekend. Verstappen’s first race in F1 was in 2015 at the Australian Grand Prix.
14. How Did Max Verstappen Get Into F1 At 17?
Max Verstappen go into F1 at the age of 17 as his career was fast-tracked by the Red Bull Junior Team and the fact that there was no Super License points system established to prevent such young drivers from entering the sport. Drivers must now be at least 18 years old to race in F1.
Max was and will likely remain the youngest driver F1 has ever seen, having replaced Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull, but some other young drivers to have entered the sport include:
- Lance Stroll – 18 years, 4 months and 26 days at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix
- Jaime Alguersuari – 19 years, 4 months and 3 days at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix
- Lando Norris – 19 years, 4 months and 4 days at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix
15. What Was Max Verstappen’s First F1 Team?
Max Verstappen’s first F1 team was Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), which is considered to be the Red Bull junior team of Formula 1. He stayed with Toro Rosso for just over one season before being promoted to Red Bull Racing during the 2016 season.
Max Verstappen’s Record For Toro Rosso
| Year | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Points | Position |
| 2015 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 12th |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5th* |
* Verstappen raced for Red Bull from the 5th round of the 2016 season, where he famously won his first race
16. When Were Max Verstappen & Carlos Sainz Teammates?
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were teammates during his entire stint with Toro Rosso, from the start of the 2015 season until the Spanish GP in 2016. Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull in May 2016 before the Spanish Grand Prix, ending his partnership with Sainz.
Verstappen beat Sainz in the standings in 2015, taking 49 points compared to the 18 points from Sainz. Verstappen then finished just 52 points behind his new teammate at Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo, in 2016, having started the season with Toro Rosso.
17. Is Max Verstappen A Pay Driver?
Max Verstappen is not a pay driver in Formula 1. Despite bringing his own sponsorships to the team, Verstappen made it to F1 through the Red Bull Junior Academy. Red Bull does not currently take on any pay drivers, and they choose their lineup purely based on the performance of their drivers.
18. Did Max Verstappen Drive For Ferrari?
Max Verstappen did not drive for Ferrari. Verstappen’s entire Formula 1 career has been with Red Bull (and Toro Rosso), and he has never been a part of the Ferrari team. During his time in Formula 3, Verstappen was part of the Van Amersfoort racing team which is based in the Netherlands.
Interestingly, the 2014 Florida Winter Series that Verstappen took part in, which ultimately gave him the first real chance to show off his skills in a car rather than a kart, was organized by the Ferrari Driver Academy.
19. How Fast Is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is one of the fastest drivers in Formula 1, and it’s not just because of his car. Verstappen has been an incredibly fast driver throughout his entire career, winning multiple competitions from karting all the way through to Formula 3, proving that he is one of the fastest drivers in the world.
It’s hard to measure the true pace of a driver in Formula 1, as a lot of it comes down to the car they’re in. However, we can compare drivers to their teammates, as they’re in the same machinery. Below is a comparison of Max and his teammates in qualifying from 2017 through 2022 (i.e. since the start of his full-time stint at Red Bull).
Max Verstappen Pace vs Teammates 2017-2023
| Year | Teammate | Qualifying Battle (Max:Teammate) | Avg. Gap To Teammate |
| 2017 | Daniel Ricciardo | 13:7 | -0.313 seconds |
| 2018 | Daniel Ricciardo | 14:5 | -0.433 seconds |
| 2019 | Pierre Gasly / Alex Albon | 19:2 | -0.739 seconds |
| 2020 | Alex Albon | 17:0 | -0.633 seconds |
| 2021 | Sergio Pérez | 20:2 | -0.528 seconds |
| 2022 | Sergio Pérez | 18:4 | -0.331 seconds |
From 2017 through 2022, Max Verstappen had a qualifying record of 101:20, out-qualifying his teammate more than 80% of the time!
20. Has Max Verstappen Had A Grand Slam?
Max Verstappen has had 2 Grand Slams, with his first being in Austria 2021 and his second coming at the 2022 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. A Grand Slam in Formula 1 is when a driver wins the race from pole position, leading every lap with the fastest lap of the race.
This puts him alongside the likes of Nico Rosberg and Juan Manual Fangio on the all-time list of Grand Slams/Chelems in F1, with Jim Clark leading the way, taking 8 in his career.
21. Has Max Verstappen Ever Been Lapped?
Max Verstappen has never been lapped in any race that he has completed. Even during his time as a young driver at Toro Rosso, Verstappen always produced competitive drives and was fast enough to avoid being lapped by the leaders.
22. Has Max Verstappen Ever Been Beaten By A Teammate?
Max Verstappen has been beaten twice by a teammate over the course of a full season, both times by Daniel Ricciardo. He lost out by 52 points in 2016, and by 32 points in 2017. Max hasn’t been beaten by a teammate since that season.
However, the first time Daniel Ricciardo got the better of him, Max had started the first 4 races of the season with Toro Rosso. There’s obviously no way to tell if Max would have beaten Daniel had he been at Red Bull for the full season, but it’s also worth noting.
Max Verstappen’s Record vs Teammates
| Year | Teammate | Points Gap vs Teammate |
| 2015 | Carlos Sainz | +31 |
| 2016 | Carlos Sainz / Daniel Ricciardo | -52* |
| 2017 | Daniel Ricciardo | -32 |
| 2018 | Daniel Ricciardo | +79 |
| 2019 | Pierre Gasly / Alex Albon | +183** |
| 2020 | Alex Albon | +109 |
| 2021 | Sergio Pérez | +205.5 |
| 2022 | Sergio Pérez | +149 |
* Max got the better of Carlos Sainz in the first 4 races, but Daniel beat Max overall as Max wasn’t in the Red Bull car from the start of the season (although he may still have beaten him regardless)
** Gasly was closest to Max in the standings after the season finished, and Albon was just 3 points behind Gasly. Max comfortably outperformed both of them throughout the season.
23. What Engine Does Max Verstappen Use?
Max Verstappen currently uses a Red Bull Powertrains engine that has been built at the Red Bull F1 factory in Milton Keynes. The engine is built under the guidance of Honda, who produced Verstappen and Red Bull’s title-winning engine in 2021.
However, from 2026, provided Max stays at Red Bull until then, he will be powered by a Red Bull/Ford collaboration, with the American giant joining F1 once again. Ford was in F1 from 1963 until 2004, supplying engines to many different teams and seeing lots of success.
24. How Much Does Red Bull Pay Max Verstappen?
The Red Bull F1 team pays Max Verstappen around $50-55 million per year. This makes him the highest paid driver on the entire grid. Verstappen signed a contract with Red Bull to remain at the team until 2028, which will net him several hundred million dollars over the course of the contract’s duration.
Of course, Max will also earn money from various sponsors and endorsements, and these figures are just estimates. However, we do know for sure that he is very well paid!
Here are the salaries of some of Verstappen’s rivals:
- Lewis Hamilton – $50-55 million/year
- Fernando Alonso – $20-30 million/year
- Charles Leclerc – $20-25 million/year
- Lando Norris – $20 million/year
- Sergio Pérez – $10 million/year
25. How Much Does Max Verstappen Earn A Week?
Max Verstappen earns almost $1,000,000 per week from his $50+ million salary. This makes him number 26 on the list of the highest-paid athletes in the world in 2022. Lewis Hamilton holds the 17th spot due to higher endorsement earnings compared to Max.
Here is a breakdown of Max Verstappen’s (estimated) earnings:
- $50,000,000 per year
- $960,000 per week
- $137,000 per day
- $5,700 per hour
- $95 per minute
- $1.50 per second
26. How Much Does Max Verstappen Earn Per Race?
Max Verstappen earns around $2.2 million per race based purely on his salary in a 23-race F1 season. That excludes any performance-related bonuses that Red Bull has included in his contract such as winning races, claiming pole positions, and setting any fastest laps.
Note: It's important to note that drivers aren't typically paid on a per-race basis, and instead they will earn a salary outlined in their contract27. What Is Max Verstappen’s Net Worth?
Max Verstappen’s net worth is around $200 million. With his long contract in place, Verstappen’s net worth will only increase over the coming years. The main contributors to his net worth are cash, real estate, and liabilities such as cars and a private jet.
28. What Does Max Verstappen Do With His Money?
Max Verstappen has used his generous Red Bull salary to purchase several supercars and real estate in multiple countries, including Monaco. Verstappen also owns a private jet, and likely spends a lot of his money traveling the world and enjoying himself when he’s not racing.
29. Is Max Verstappen A World Champion?
Max Verstappen is a double World Champion, having won the championship in 2021 and 2022. Verstappen won the World Championship by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The championship came down to just eight points, the difference between a first and second place finish.
Max then won the 2022 title a year later, edging out Charles Leclerc by a massive 146 points. The Red Bull under Verstappen’s control is a mighty quick car, so it’s not unlikely that he’ll add to his current haul of championship trophies in the coming years.
30. Was Max Verstappen The Youngest World Champion?
Max Verstappen was not the youngest F1 World Champion, even though he does hold many records tied to his age. Sebastian Vettel still holds the record for the youngest World Champion at 23 years and 124 days. Max was 24 years and 73 days when he became champion.
The youngest F1 World Champions are:
- Sebastian Vettel – 2010, 23 years and 133 days
- Lewis Hamilton – 2008, 23 years and 300 days
- Fernando Alonso – 2005, 24 years and 57 days
- Max Verstappen – 2021, 24 years and 73 days
- Emerson Fittipaldi – 1972, 25 years and 273 days
31. Why Does Max Verstappen Have Number 1?
Max Verstappen drives with the number 1 on his car and his racing gear because he is the reigning World Champion. The number one is reserved for the previous season’s champion only, and other drivers have to use their pre-selected race numbers.
Before 2014, F1 drivers weren’t able to choose their own racing numbers, and they were assigned based on the finishing positions in the previous season. Since that change was made, Lewis Hamilton decided not to race with the number 1 after winning his championships, and Nico Rosberg retired after winning it in 2016, making Max the first person to run with number 1 since Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
32. How Much Did Max Verstappen Win In 2021?
Max Verstappen won the World Championship in 2021, which was in large part due to his 10 race wins that season. In terms of financial winnings, Verstappen reportedly earned a bonus of around $14 million, and it also led to him signing a $50+ million per year salary until 2028.
F1 drivers may have bonuses outlined in their contract tied to World Championships, but not all do. However, the real money is in winning the World Constructors’ Championship, and the prize can be as much as $50-100 million or more for the team that comes out on top.
33. Why Is Max Verstappen So Good?
Max Verstappen is a great driver because of his unique driving style. He has a natural ability to find grip where other drivers can’t, and he knows exactly how to get the most out of his car. He is also an extremely aggressive driver, which makes him incredibly difficult to race against.
Verstappen is also extremely confident in the car, which is made easier when you have a team like Red Bull designing it. All F1 drivers are good drivers, but it’s clear that Max is one of the fastest and one of the most consistent that the sport has ever seen.
34. What Makes Verstappen So Fast?
Max Verstappen has always been a fast driver, which comes down to his driving style and his excellent car control capabilities. The car also plays an important role in his speed, and Red Bull have designed several cars that have unlocked his potential and suit his driving style.
There is no doubt that his aggressive driving style helps him to be so quick around a lap, but he’s also just incredibly talented at finding grip and managing his tires, which are key traits of a top F1 driver. Of course, the fast cars Red Bull design year after year also help! However, his strong record against his teammates in the same machinery prove it’s not all about the car.
35. Is Max Verstappen A Generational Talent?
Max Verstappen is considered to be a generational talent. He is part of the next generation of drivers that includes Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and George Russell. Being the first of the next generation to win a world title in Formula 1 has solidified his status as a generational talent.
36. Is Max Verstappen Better Than Charles Leclerc?
It’s unclear if Max Verstappen is better than Charles Leclerc. It’s hard to measure drivers from two different teams against one another on track as there are many other factors that need to be considered. However, Verstappen has certainly had the upper hand in fighting Leclerc on track in the past.
The table below outlines the careers of the two drivers up until the start of the 2023 season, but you need to remember that numbers aren’t everything when comparing drivers. Not only has Max been in F1 longer than Charles, but he’s also had a winning car for longer too.
Max Verstappen vs Charles Leclerc Career Summary
| Driver | Max Verstappen | Charles Leclerc |
| Seasons Raced | 8 | 5 |
| Race Starts | 163 | 102 |
| Championships | 2 | 0 |
| Race Wins | 35 | 5 |
| Win Rate | 21% | 5% |
| Podiums | 77 | 24 |
| Points | 2011.5 | 868 |
| Pole Positions | 20 | 18 |
| Pole Rate | 12% | 18% |
| Fastest Laps | 21 | 7 |
37. Is Max Verstappen Better Than Lewis Hamilton?
Max Verstappen is not necessarily better than Lewis Hamilton. It’s difficult to say who is better because they have both had very different starts to their careers and are in very different teams, but they are both excellent drivers in their own way with completely different driving styles.
As with the table above, bear in mind that these numbers aren’t the most useful comparisons in terms of deciding who is better, but it is interesting to compare the two anyway.
Max Verstappen vs Lewis Hamilton Career Summary
| Driver | Max Verstappen | Lewis Hamilton |
| Seasons Raced | 8 | 16 |
| Race Starts | 163 | 310 |
| Championships | 2 | 7 |
| Race Wins | 35 | 103 |
| Win Rate | 21% | 33% |
| Podiums | 77 | 191 |
| Points | 2011.5 | 4405.5 |
| Pole Positions | 20 | 103 |
| Pole Rate | 12% | 33% |
| Fastest Laps | 21 | 61 |
38. Is Max Verstappen Better Than Sebastian Vettel?
Max Verstappen is not better than Sebastian Vettel, but Vettel is not necessarily better than Verstappen. While Vettel was a dominant force during his Red Bull days, Verstappen has the potential and the ability to break many of his records in his current run of form.
Again, these numbers are just for illustration purposes, and they don’t really tell us much about who the better driver is out of the two.
Max Verstappen vs Sebastian Vettel Career Summary
| Driver | Max Verstappen | Sebastian Vettel |
| Seasons Raced | 8 | 16 |
| Race Starts | 163 | 299 |
| Championships | 2 | 4 |
| Race Wins | 35 | 53 |
| Win Rate | 21% | 18% |
| Podiums | 77 | 122 |
| Points | 2011.5 | 3098 |
| Pole Positions | 20 | 57 |
| Pole Rate | 12% | 19% |
| Fastest Laps | 21 | 38 |
39. Is Max Verstappen Good In The Rain?
Max Verstappen is considered to be one of the best drivers in the rain. Verstappen has excellent car control, which gives him an edge over other drivers in wet conditions, and he has won several wet races.
One of his best performances came in the wet Brazilian Grand Prix in 2016, during Verstappen’s first F1 season in a Red Bull car. He made many daring overtakes and managed to avoid what could have been a very costly crash in style, and you can see the highlights of that race here.
40. Is Max Verstappen The Best F1 Driver?
Max Verstappen is not the best F1 driver ever, as it’s too early in his career to suggest that is the case. The best drivers in F1 are usually said to be the likes of Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Ayrton Senna, and Verstappen could very well end up among their ranks in future.
41. Is Max Verstappen The GOAT?
It’s too early to tell if Max Verstappen will be the greatest driver of all time. He has a long career ahead of him, and he would need to beat the records set by Hamilton, Schumacher, and many others. However, he will definitely go down in history as one of the best of all time.
42. What Is Max Verstappen’s Best Track?
Max Verstappen’s best track is statistically the Red Bull Ring in Austria or the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico, as he has won 4 races at each of these tracks. Max Verstappen says his favorite track in the world is Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Key Fact: Max Verstappen has won at a total of 21 different F1 tracksMax Verstappen Wins By Track
| Track | Wins |
| Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (Mexico) | 2018, 2019, 2021, 2021 |
| Red Bull Ring (Austria) | 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
| Yas Marina Circuit (Abu Dhabi) | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (Imola, Italy) | 2021, 2022 |
| Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) | 2016, 2022 |
| Circuit Paul Ricard (France) | 2021, 2022 |
| Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) | 2021, 2022 |
| Circuit Zandvoort (Netherlands) | 2021, 2022 |
| COTA (Austin, USA) | 2021, 2022 |
| Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia) | 2017 |
| Hockenheimring (Germany) | 2019 |
| Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Brazil) | 2019 |
| Silverstone Circuit (Great Britain) | 2020 |
| Circuit de Monaco (Monaco) | 2021 |
| Jeddah Corniche Circuit (Saudi Arabia) | 2022 |
| Miami International Autodrome (Miami, USA) | 2022 |
| Baku City Circuit (Azerbaijan) | 2022 |
| Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Canada) | 2022 |
| Hungaroring (Hungary) | 2022 |
| Autodromo Nazionale di Monza (Monza, Italy) | 2022 |
| Suzuka International Racing Course (Japan) | 2022 |
43. Is Max Verstappen A Dirty Driver?
Max Verstappen has been labeled a dirty driver in the past, especially when he first arrived in F1 and caused accidents with other drivers. However, Max has developed his racecraft ever since and has become one of the most skilled wheel-to-wheel racers on the grid.
Max has been involved in a lot of high-profile incidents, most notably during the tensely-fought title battle in 2021 with Lewis Hamilton. However, there is no doubt that Max has matured over his time in F1, and he has repeatedly shown his ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations.
44. What Is Max Verstappen’s Driving Style?
Max Verstappen has a very aggressive driving style, often compared to that of Ayrton Senna. However, he has had to adapt his driving style slightly over the years, especially in 2022 when the new aerodynamic regulations drastically changed how the cars handled.
Verstappen’s preference in terms of car setup is a strong front-end, meaning lots of grip at the front of the car, with the rear a little loose. This means he prefers a car with a bit of oversteer, which he can use to rotate the car through the corner. Red Bull have traditionally favored this design in recent years, allowing Max to really get the most out of the car.
45. What Cars Does Max Verstappen Own?
Max Verstappen’s car collection includes the following:
- Aston Martin DB11
- Aston Martin Vantage
- Aston Martin Valkyrie ($3-4 million)
- Ferrari Monza SP2 ($1+ million)
- Ferrari 488 Pista
- Renault R.S.01
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
46. Does Max Verstappen Drive A Ferrari?
Max Verstappen owns 2 Ferraris. He drives a Ferrari Monza SP2 and a Ferrari 488 Pista. Verstappen has always been a fan of supercars, so it’s not a surprise that he owns at least one of the famous brand’s cars.
47. Does Max Verstappen Own An F1 Car?
Max Verstappen does not own an F1 car. However, teams will sometimes give their drivers a car if they win a World Championship or when they leave the team, and so Verstappen may end up owning at least one in the future.
48. What Games Does Max Verstappen Play?
Max Verstappen is known for spending a lot of his free time playing racing sims and FIFA. The Dutchman, along with other drivers from the same generation, often stream their gaming sessions on Twitch and YouTube so fans can interact with them.
Max regularly takes part in online sim racing tournaments and other events in his free time, and he has supposedly had a sim racing rig installed in his motorhome!
49. Does Max Verstappen Play iRacing?
Max Verstappen does play iRacing. Not only does he stream the races that he participates in, but he has even taken part in some big events such as the Bathurst 12 hour race, along with Lando Norris. Sim racing helps F1 drivers to develop their abilities and car control without being in a racing car.
Many F1 drivers stick to using their team’s F1 simulator at their respective factories, which are far more advanced than your average sim racing setup. However, some drivers, like Max, enjoy the thrill of sim racing even during the off-season, and will use it to keep their skills sharp too.
50. Does Max Verstappen Stream On Twitch?
Max Verstappen does stream on Twitch, usually as part of Team Redline. Verstappen used to stream himself playing iRacing, Call of Duty, and FIFA, but his own channel has been inactive for a few years. Verstappen would often stream with some other Formula 1 drivers including Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
51. Is Max Verstappen Good At FIFA?
Max Verstappen is a huge fan of FIFA, which is a game that he plays regularly. Max is very skilled at FIFA and was once ranked as the 21st best FIFA player in the world and spent two consecutive years inside the top 50 best FIFA players in the world.
Max is known for spending much of the race weekend gaming, with Red Bull team boss once remarking that he played “about 14 hours” of FIFA during the 2021 US Grand Prix in Austin. He also managed to win that race, so clearly his time spent playing virtual football has no effect on his ability to perform in the car!
52. Is Max Verstappen Friends With Lando Norris?
Max Verstappen is very good friends with Lando Norris, a driver from the same generation as him (although Lando is a few years younger). Lando and Max spent the majority of their karting years together, and there are multiple photos of them together during karting tournaments as close friends.
You’ll often see Lando and Max sharing a (private) plane ride after a Grand Prix weekend, and they both live in Monaco as well. This means it’s no surprise that they’re often seen socializing when not at the track.
53. How Many Times Has Max Verstappen Crashed?
Max Verstappen has crashed a total of 13 times during F1 races. These crashes have not all been his fault, but ultimately they have helped Max to find his limits and test them, which helped turn him into the skilled driver that he has become today.
Verstappen has retired from 31 races, but not all of these retirements were due to collisions. Verstappen’s crashes, regardless of who was at fault, came at the races outlined below.
List Of Max Verstappen Crashes
| Year | Race | Incident |
| 2015 | Monaco | Collision with Romain Grosjean |
| 2015 | Great Britain | Spun into gravel |
| 2016 | Monaco | Crashed into barriers |
| 2017 | Spain | Collision with Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen |
| 2017 | Austria | Collision with Daniil Kvyat and Fernando Alonso |
| 2017 | Singapore | Collision with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen |
| 2018 | Azerbaijan | Collision with Daniel Ricciardo |
| 2019 | Belgium | Collision with Kimi Räikkönen |
| 2020 | Italy (Mugello) | Collision with Pierre Gasly, Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean |
| 2020 | Bahrain | Crashed trying to avoid Charles Leclerc who hit Sergio Pérez |
| 2021 | Azerbaijan | Crashed due to tire failure |
| 2021 | Great Britain | Collision with Lewis Hamilton |
| 2021 | Italy (Monza) | Collision with Lewis Hamilton |
54. How Many G’s Did Max Verstappen Hit The Wall At?
Max Verstappen suffered a 51G impact in his crash during the controversial opening lap of the 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Verstappen’s G Force warning sensor was triggered, which meant that he had to undergo a mandatory medical checkup, but luckily did not suffer any injuries.
This was a huge amount of force, but it’s not the most extreme that the sport has seen. The highest G-forces sustained during crashes in F1 are:
- Jules Bianchi – 254G, 2014 Japanese GP (sadly, this was a fatal crash)
- David Purley – 179.8G, 1977 British GP
- Luciano Burti – 111G, 2001 British GP
- Rubens Barrichello – 95G, 1995 San Marino GP (qualifying)
- Ralf Schumacher – 78G, 2004 US GP
55. What Happened Between Max Verstappen & Esteban Ocon?
Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon collided during the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix while Max was lapping the French driver. After the race, Verstappen went over to Ocon to voice his frustration, and a physical altercation took place between the two drivers at the scales where drivers are weighed.
The collision was a result of the two drivers being in very different positions and on very different strategies. While Max was leading the race, Ocon was a backmarker. Max had just lapped Ocon into Turn 1, and with Ocon still beside him, he attempted to take the apex of Turn 2 the pair collided.
One argument is that Ocon should have taken more care around the race leader, given he was a backmarker and about to be a full lap down, and he should have given Max more space as it didn’t affect Ocon’s race if he went past. However, Ocon had much fresher softer tires than Max, so he likely had the pace at that point to fight for his position.
Ocon ended up getting a 10-second stop and go penalty for the incident (one of the most severe penalties in the sport), and Max was given two days of “public service” by the FIA for his actions after the race. One day involved observing the stewards during a Formula E race, with the other involving interactive case study sessions with FIA race officials.
56. What Is The Max Verstappen Rule?
The Max Verstappen rule is the rule that requires F1 drivers to be at least 18 years old. There was another temporary “Max Verstappen rule” that limited how much drivers were allowed to move under braking while being overtaken as there was a safety concern, but it was dropped in 2017.
The age-related Max Verstappen rule will likely remain in place for the future of the sport, and it means Max will likely hold many of the “youngest driver to” records for years to come. Max is currently the youngest driver to:
- Score points – 17 years and 180 days, 2015 Malaysian GP
- Win a race – 18 years and 228 days, 2016 Spanish GP
- Finish on the podium – 18 years and 228 days, 2016 Spanish GP
- Lead a lap – 18 years and 228 days, 2016 Spanish GP
- Set a fastest lap – 19 years and 44 days, 2016 Brazilian GP
- Get a Grand Slam – 23 years and 277 days, 2021 Austrian GP
57. Did Max Verstappen Win BBC Sports Personality Of The Year?
Max Verstappen did not win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, but he was nominated for the award in 2021 alongside other athletes including Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and Elaine Thompson-Herah. The award was won by British tennis player Emma Raducanu in the end.
Max Verstappen has won the following awards:
- Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year (2021 and 2022)
- NOS Sportsman of the Year (2016, 2021 and 2022)
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (2022)
58. Why Is Max Verstappen Famous?
Max Verstappen is famous for being Formula 1 World Champion in 2021 and 2022, and for being the youngest ever Formula 1 driver. The Dutch driver has gained many fans as he became a challenger for the dominant Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes during the V6 hybrid era.
However, his driving skills in general have made him one of the most exciting talents the sport has ever seen, which has helped to grow his fame even further. He is also very active on social media and in the sim racing scene, which adds to his popularity.
59. How Popular Is Max Verstappen In The Netherlands?
Max Verstappen is very popular in the Netherlands. Max has multiple songs made in support of his Formula 1 endeavors, and his fans, the “Orange Army,” often travel all around the world to support him at different races. Whether it’s in the US or in Asia, the “Oranje fans” can be found everywhere.
Key Fact: An estimated 5 million Dutch fans watched Max clinch the title at Yas Marina in 2021, which was almost 30% of the population at the time!60. Why Is Max Verstappen So Popular?
Max Verstappen was not always a popular driver on the grid, as he was seen as immature and too young. However, during his time at Red Bull he has matured, and he has gained the respect of others in the paddock. He also has a fun, straightforward personality off the track that appeals to many fans.
There is also no doubt that his popularity has grown as he has become more successful. Many fans both new and old tend to be drawn to those who are successful, and so Max’s most recent success will only have increased his popularity within the sport.
61. How Many Fans Does Max Verstappen Have?
In a recent fan survey, Max Verstappen was revealed to be the most popular driver on the grid ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Verstappen is the driver with the most fans around the world, but the Dutch fans make up a large percentage of his global fanbase.
As per a fan survey in 2021, the top 3 F1 drivers ranked by the proportion of fans that choose them as their favorite are:
- Max Verstappen – 14.4%
- Lando Norris – 13.7%
- Lewis Hamilton – 12.5%
62. Why Do Max Verstappen Fans Wear Orange?
Max Verstappen fans wear orange because it is the national color of the Netherlands. The Dutch national football team also wears orange, and it’s also the main color used in celebrations such as King’s Day, a national holiday celebrating the King’s birthday in the Netherlands.
63. Is Max Verstappen Related To Michael Schumacher?
Max Verstappen is not related to Michael Schumacher, but his father Jos Verstappen was close friends with Schumacher. Max often referred to him as “Uncle Michael,” but they are in no way related to one another aside from spending some time together while Max was younger.
64. Is Max Verstappen Left Handed?
Max Verstappen is not left handed. When signing autographs or writing, Verstappen always uses his right hand. It’s often difficult to judge whether a driver is left handed or right handed, but the easiest way to tell is to keep an eye on them when they sign merchandise for fans.
65. What Brand Of Helmet Does Max Verstappen Wear?
Max Verstappen wears a Schuberth helmet. With the 2019 regulation changes, his usual Arai helmets were too small for him and left him feeling uncomfortable in the car. Red Bull approved his switch to Schuberth before the start of the 2019 season.
66. What Is Max Verstappen’s Reaction Time?
Max Verstappen has a reaction time of about 0.231 seconds, which was tested by WTF1. However, reaction times will always vary, and sometimes Max could react faster or slower depending on a number of variables at the start of a Grand Prix. In general, Max Verstappen has excellent race starts.
The average F1 driver’s reaction time is around 0.2-0.3 seconds
67. Why Does Max Verstappen Say Simply Lovely?
The term “simply lovely” is something that Max Verstappen has always used during his career as a sort of signature quote. He often uses the term after winning a race or performing well in qualifying. Verstappen has also used the term to express gratitude to his team.
68. When Does Max Verstappen’s Contract End?
Max Verstappen’s current contract ends in 2028. Depending on his performance in the upcoming seasons, Verstappen could extend his contract to stay at the team for even longer than 2028. Verstappen currently has the longest contract on the grid.
69. Will Max Verstappen Retire?
Max Verstappen will retire in the future. However, since his career started at such a young age, Verstappen has the potential to have the longest career in the history of Formula 1. Verstappen could easily remain in the sport for another 10 years or more.
However, Max hasn’t been shy to discuss the idea of retiring earlier than some might expect, and he has hinted at his ambitions outside of the sport.
“I don’t see myself driving until I’m 40 because I want to also do other stuff…I will probably try to do a few different kinds of racing because it’s important also to try different things.”
– Max Verstappen on his future in the sport
70. Will Max Verstappen Stay At Red Bull?
Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull until at least 2028. He could extend his contract from 2028 to remain at Red Bull for even longer, but there are many important variables to consider such as his performance, and the team’s performance, and he could switch to another team or another motorsport.
71. Would Max Verstappen Leave Red Bull?
Max Verstappen has not yet stated any intentions of leaving Red Bull or driving for another team in the future. There is a chance that Verstappen could move to another team in the future when looking for a new challenge, but he is set to remain a part of the Red Bull team until 2028.
72. Will Max Verstappen Join Mercedes?
Max Verstappen is unlikely to join Mercedes. Mercedes have committed to George Russell and Lewis Hamilton as their drivers for the foreseeable future. After 2028, there is a chance that Verstappen could join Mercedes, or any other team on the grid, or leave F1 altogether.
Final Thoughts
Max Verstappen is one of the most exciting drivers Formula 1 has ever seen. Having won two titles back to back, along with many race victories under his belt, he’s quickly becoming one of the most successful drivers too. While his future in the sport may not be as certain as you might expect given his age and his racing record, he’s definitely going to continue to impress on the track for many years to come.
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