Max Verstappen Biography
Max Verstappen (born September 30, 1997) is a Dutch–Belgian racing driver who competes in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. Widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, Verstappen has won four Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles from 2021 to 2024 with Red Bull. Over the course of his career, he has secured more than 70 Grand Prix victories in just over a decade in the sport.
Early Life and Background
Max Emilian Verstappen was born to former racing drivers. His father, Jos Verstappen, is a Dutch former Formula One driver, while his mother, Sophie Kumpen, is a Belgian former kart racer. Because of his parents’ backgrounds, Verstappen holds both Dutch and Belgian citizenship, although he represents the Netherlands in international motorsport.
He grew up around racing and was introduced to motorsports at an extremely young age. At just two years old, he rode a quad bike at his family’s home, and by age four he had already begun kart racing.
Verstappen quickly rose through the karting ranks, winning his first race at the age of seven and later claiming several national and European karting championships across different categories.
During his childhood, his parents separated and later divorced. Verstappen lived primarily with his father, whose strict and demanding approach to training him for motorsport has occasionally drawn criticism. In the documentary Max Verstappen: Anatomy of a Champion (2023), Jos Verstappen explained that his tough parenting style was driven by his belief that discipline was necessary for his son to reach the top of the sport.
Early Racing Career
After dominating karting competitions, Verstappen moved to single-seater racing. In 2014, at just 16 years old, he competed in the European Formula Three Championship.
That season he won 10 races, the most of any driver in the series, including a streak of six consecutive victories. Despite the impressive run, several retirements prevented him from winning the championship, and he ultimately finished third overall.
His remarkable performance quickly caught the attention of Formula One teams and led to his rapid promotion into the top tier of motorsport.
2018 Australian Grand Prix Incident
During qualifying for the 2018 season-opening race, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Verstappen suffered a dramatic crash.
While braking for Turn 1 in the first qualifying session, he lost control of the car, spinning across the gravel before hitting the wall. Although the Red Bull driver was uninjured, the crash forced him to start the race from the back of the grid.
Over team radio after the incident, Verstappen reportedly said:
“The car just locked the rear axles.”
The Dutch driver has also been outspoken about changes to modern Formula One cars, particularly the complexities introduced by hybrid engines and battery management systems, which require drivers to adapt to a more technical driving style.
Recent Career Developments
Red Bull faced strong competition in the 2025 Formula One season, particularly from McLaren, the reigning constructors’ champions. The team struggled early in the season to match McLaren’s pace.
However, Verstappen’s individual performance improved significantly in the second half of the year, leading to a three-way championship battle with McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Despite winning five of the final eight races, including the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen finished second in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, narrowly losing the title to Norris.
For the 2026 season, Verstappen is set to be partnered at Red Bull by rising talent Isack Hadjar. Ahead of the season, he confirmed he would switch his racing number to 3, following new regulations from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) allowing drivers to change their numbers before 2026.
Is Max Verstappen Married?
Max Verstappen is not married but has been in a long-term relationship with Brazilian model and influencer Kelly Piquet since 2020. Their relationship became publicly confirmed in 2021.
The couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Lily, in May 2025. Kelly Piquet also has another daughter, Penelope, from a previous relationship with former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat.
Max Verstappen Net Worth
As of 2025, Max Verstappen’s net worth is estimated to be around $210 million. He is widely regarded as one of the highest-paid drivers in Formula One, earning an estimated $76 million annually through salary and performance bonuses.
In addition to his racing income, Verstappen earns significant revenue through endorsements, sponsorships, and business investments. Some estimates suggest his net worth could rise to around $250 million by 2026 as his career and commercial ventures continue to expand.
