Max Verstappen Wiki, Height, Age, Girlfriend, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Max Verstappen is a racing driver from the Netherlands and Belgium. Representing Red Bull Racing under the Dutch banner, he won Formula One World Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Wiki/Biography

Max Emilian Verstappen ^[1]Max Verstappen – Official website was born on Tuesday, 30 September 1997 (age 26 years; as of 2023) in Hasselt, Belgium. While growing up in Maaseik, Belgium, Max attended St Ursula School; however, he left the school six weeks before his 17th birthday to become a racing driver. ^[2]Time News

Although Max Verstappen was born and raised in Bree, Belgium, and has a Belgian mother, he chose to get a Dutch racing license due to his strong connection with his Dutch roots. This decision was influenced by his initial years spent in Maaseik, a Belgian town close to the Dutch border, where he did karting activities with his father, and he identifies more with his Dutch heritage. In 2015, he talked about his Belgian and Dutch roots and said,

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.”

In 2022, Verstappen said that he considers himself to be “equally connected” to both his Dutch and Belgian roots. When he was four years old, he started karting and went on to become a popular face in the racing world.

Physical Appearance

^[3]Max Verstappen – Official website Height: 5′ 11.26″

^[4]Max Verstappen – Official website Weight: 72 kg

Eye Colour: Turquoise

Hair Colour: Dark Brown

Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 48′, Waist: 32′, Biceps: 12′

Family

Max Verstappen belongs to a family deeply passionate about racing.

Parents & Siblings

Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, is a former racing driver, and his mother, Sophie Kumpen, is also a renowned Karting champion with an impressive track record. She is a two-time Belgian karting champion and has competed against famous Formula 1 personalities such as Jan Magnussen, Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella, Dario Franchitti, and even Christian Horner.

He has a sister named Victoria Jane, who is a beauty and fashion Instagram celebrity, a half-sister named Mila Faye, and two half-brothers, Blue Jaye, and Jason Jaxx.

While Max was studying in primary school, his parents went through a separation, and Max chose to reside with his father, while his sister, Victoria, went to live with their mother. ^[5]The i With his father’s guidance and family’s unconditional support, Max trained for hours, refining his abilities on karting tracks. With his father’s mentorship, Max gained access to valuable connections, resources, and insider knowledge of the racing industry, which significantly contributed to his racing career. Jos was reportedly strict while mentoring Verstappen. ^[6]Time News In an interview, Max hinted at his father’s strict mentorship. He said,

I never had any surprises in F1 because no one was as hard on me as my Dad.”

Max Verstappen with his father, Jos Verstappen, in childhood

Wife & Children

Max Verstappen is unmarried and has no children.

Relationships/Affairs

In the initial stages of his career, Max was romantically linked to several women, including Instagram model Roos Van Der Aa, Dutch hockey player Maxime Pourquie, and fellow racing driver Sabre Cook. During 2015-2016, he dated Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, a Swedish racing driver.

In 2016, he briefly dated Joyce Godefridi, a Belgian model.

From 2017 to 2020, he dated Dilara Sanlik, who was a German student from Munich and studying in London. ^[7]The Sun

In 2020, Max started dating Kelly Piquet, a Brazilian model, who is the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet.

Piquet frequently posts pictures of her daughter, Penelope, who was born in July 2019. Penelope’s father is F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, with whom Piquet was in a relationship during that period. ^[8]People

Religion

Max Verstappen follows Christianity. ^[9]Essentially Sports

Address (fan mail)

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Bradbourne Drive, Tilbrook, Milton Keynes, MK7 8BJ, UK

Signature/Autograph

Career (Racing Driver)

Karting

At the age of four and a half, Max Verstappen began his karting journey. By the time he reached six years old in 2003, he participated in his first race, regularly taking part in competitions at the prestigious Genk circuit in Belgium, which is known for hosting significant international events. At the age of eight in 2005, Max entered his first karting championship and won all 21 races of the Belgium Championship Mini (VAS) throughout the season.

In 2010, he made his international karting debut when CRG signed him to race in their factory team at the World and European championships. Max won 23 karting championships between 2005 and 2013, including 5 x Rotax Max titles, 2 x Belgian Championship wins, the WSK KF3 Nations Cup, and the 2010 World Series and Euro Series. In 2013, he also won the CIK-FIA World and European KZ Championship, as well as the CIK-FIA European Championship KF. He became part of the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team in late 2014, setting the stage for his debut in Formula 1.

Formula 4

Max Verstappen did not compete in Formula 4 and instead focused on his racing journey in Formula Renault, a category similar to F4. After his karting days, Max took part in the 2014 Florida Winter Series, where he defeated more experienced drivers in the competition.

Formula 3

In 2014, Max Verstappen started his single-seater racing journey in Formula Three. Racing for Van Amersfoort Racing in the European Formula 3 Championship, he had six consecutive wins and a total of 10 victories throughout the season, setting a record-breaking performance. Despite having eight retirements and one DNS (Did Not Start), he finished third overall.

Formula 2

Due to his association with the Red Bull Junior Program and his exceptional performance in Formula 3, he was allowed to join Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in Formula 1 for the 2015 season, skipping his Formula 2 debut. At that time, there were no Super License points requirements, allowing Max to skip Formula 2 and make a direct leap to F1. Max had ten race victories, making a strong case for his inclusion in the Formula 1 grid. In 2014, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko praised Verstappen’s skills and said,

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.”

Max Verstappen with his Red Bull mentor Helmut Marko

Formula 1

During the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen participated in an official Formula 1 session, becoming the youngest driver ever to be part of a Formula 1 race at just 17 years and three days old. In the next year, he made his official Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Max’s entry into Formula 1 at such a young age was made possible by the support provided by the Red Bull Junior Team and the absence of a Super License points system, which once restricted young drivers from joining the sport. However, current regulations now say that drivers must be at least 18 years old to compete in Formula 1.

Stats

• Debut Age: 17 Years, 166 Days

• Team: Red Bull Racing

• Races: 173

• Points: 258.5

• Wins: 43

• Podiums: 87

• Pole Positions: 27

• Fastest Laps: 26

• First Entry: 2015 Australian Grand Prix

• First Win: 2016 Spanish Grand Prix

Records

• At the 2015 Malaysian GP, Max Verstappen became the youngest driver (17 years and 180 days) to score points.

• At the 2016 Spanish GP, he became the youngest driver (18 years and 228 days) to win a race.

• At the 2016 Spanish GP, he became the youngest driver (18 years and 228 days) to finish on the podium.

• At the 2016 Spanish GP, he became the youngest driver (18 years and 228 days) to lead a lap.

• At the 2016 Brazilian GP, he became the youngest driver (19 years and 44 days) to set a fastest lap.

• At the 2021 Austrian GP, he became the youngest driver (23 years and 277 days) to get a Garnd Slam.

Association with Red Bull and First Win

Max Verstappen became a part of Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), known as the Red Bull junior team in Formula 1, at the start of his career.

After spending just over a season with Toro Rosso, he was promoted to Red Bull Racing in the 2016 season. His entry into Red Bull Racing took place during the 5th round of the 2016 season at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he had his maiden victory in Formula 1. In an interview, Max talked about his first win and said,

It was a very special, a simply lovely day. I was out there to enjoy myself because it was my first race with Red Bull, so there wasn’t much pressure from the Team. They just said: “Try and score some points,” and we did, we scored 25 points. Hahaha, that’s always good, I guess and it was amazing to see the reaction from everyone in the Team as nobody, including me expected it.” ^[10]Red Bull Racing

Grand Slam

Max Verstappen has won three Grand Slams during his career. The first was in Austria in 2021, followed by the second one at the 2022 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. In June 2023, he secured his third grand slam victory in Spain, winning from pole position, leading every lap, and setting the fastest lap of the race.

World Champion

Max Verstappen has won the World Championship twice, in 2021, and 2022. In an exciting 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Verstappen won the World Championship by overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the final lap, with a narrow eight-point margin, separating them in the first and second positions. In 2022, Max Verstappen repeated his championship success, this time with a lead of 146 points over Charles Leclerc, setting a new season record with a total of 454 points. He also had 15 Grand Prix victories in a single season, breaking the previous record of 13 held by Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. This made him the second-youngest driver ever to win two championships. After becoming world champion for the second time, Max said,

This season was just great. We had a rough start, but after that we did very little wrong, and even though you cannot be perfect, we will always strive to achieve that.”

Verstappen stated that his first championship win was “honestly the more emotional one,” while the second title was “definitely the most satisfying.” ^[11]The New York Times

Max Verstappen vs Charles Leclerc

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc both entered the world of karting around the same period, leading to several encounters on the track, and one such encounter became quite famous due to a notable incident where they both pushed each other off the track.

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz

Throughout his entire time with Toro Rosso, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were teammates, from the beginning of the 2015 season until the Spanish GP in 2016. However, Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull in May 2016, ending his partnership with Sainz. In the 2015 standings, Verstappen defeated Sainz, winning 49 points in comparison to Sainz’s 18 points. Following his move to Red Bull during the 2016 season, Verstappen finished only 52 points behind his new teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.

Aggressive Driving Style

Max Verstappen is known for his aggressive driving style, which has often led to comparisons with the legendary Ayrton Senna. However, he has had to make certain adjustments to his approach over the years, particularly in 2022 when the new aerodynamic regulations significantly impacted the cars’ handling. Verstappen’s preferred car setup revolves around a strong front end, providing a firm grip at the front while keeping the rear a bit looser. Red Bull has used this design philosophy, allowing Max to exploit the car’s potential on the track fully.

Crash Incidents and Retirements

During his Formula 1 career, Max Verstappen has been a part of 13 crashes in races. While not all of these incidents were his fault, they have been instrumental in his growth as a driver. Verstappen has retired from 31 races throughout his career. However, not all of these retirements were due to collisions as various other factors can also lead to race retirements.

G Force

In the opening lap of the 2021 British Grand Prix held at Silverstone, Max Verstappen had a severe crash with a 51G impact. The collision activated Verstappen’s G Force warning sensor, leading to a compulsory medical examination for him; however, he emerged from the incident unharmed. In Formula 1, G-force refers to the force experienced by drivers due to rapid acceleration during high-speed corners. ^[12]Planet F1

“Oranje fans”

In the Netherlands, Max Verstappen enjoys immense popularity. Several songs have been dedicated to his Formula 1 career, and his passionate fans, known as the “Orange Army,” display huge support by travelling worldwide to cheer for him during different races. Whether in the United States or Asia, the “Oranje fans” can be spotted everywhere, showing their support for their favourite driver. When Max Verstappen won at Yas Marina in 2021, almost 30% of the Dutch population, approximately 5 million fans, tuned in to witness the historic moment.

Controversies

Collided with Esteban Ocon during the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix

During the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon had a collision while Verstappen was lapping the French driver. This incident led to a heated exchange between the two drivers at the weighing scales after the race. The collision took place because of their different positions in the race, with Verstappen leading and Ocon being a backmarker on a different strategy. As Verstappen lapped Ocon into Turn 1, the collision took place at Turn 2 as Ocon was still beside him. Following the incident, Ocon received a severe 10-second stop-and-go penalty, while Verstappen faced disciplinary action from the FIA. The FIA gave Verstappen two days of “public service,” involving observing the stewards during a Formula E race on one day and participating in interactive case study sessions with FIA race officials on the other day. ^[13]Formula 1

Chaos and controversy over his 2021 world title

In a highly disputed manner, Verstappen won the F1 world championship, narrowly defeating Lewis Hamilton in the final race held in Abu Dhabi. This was made possible by a late change to the safety car procedures. However, the decision to modify the regulations was highly criticised, leading to the removal of race director Michael Masi from his position. ^[14]Yahoo Sport

Controversy over his 2022 F1 title

In October 2022, he won his second F1 title at the Japanese Grand Prix, which was also controversial. The chaos originated when, on the final lap, the FIA handed a five-second penalty to Charles Leclerc, a Monégasque racing driver, placing him in third place. After the race, Verstappen confessed that he had no prior knowledge of the penalty. ^[15]The Guardian

Awards

• FIA Action of the Year (2014–2016)

• Autosport Rookie of the Year (2015)

• FIA Rookie of the Year (2015)

• FIA Personality of the Year (2015–2017)

• Lorenzo Bandini Trophy (2016)

• Dutch Sportsman of the Year (2016, 2021)

• Laureus Sportsman of the Year (2022)

• Best Driver ESPY Award (2023)

Car Collection

One of the most notable cars in Verstappen’s collection is the Aston Martin DB11, which is reportedly worth $200,000 and is fit with orange stitching. His other car collection includes a yellow Renault Clio, which is a gift from his parents, a Renault R. S. 01 worth $400,000, which is his first purchase, and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS ($400,000) that he bought after winning his first F1 race. He also owns four Aston Martins, including the Aston Martin-Red Bull collaboration – the Valkyrie hypercar – worth $2.7m. Besides these, he owns a 2018 Vantage ($150,000), a DBS Superleggera ($360,000), a Ferrari 488 Pista ($331,000), a Ferrari Monza SP2 ($1.8m), and a Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG ($78,000). ^[16]Crash

Jet Collection

In 2020, he owned a private jet, purchasing it directly from Richard Branson. The aircraft is a Dassault Falcon 900EX, previously owned by Virgin Galactic, with an estimated value of around $15 million. However, the annual maintenance expenses for the jet amount to approximately $1 million. ^[17]Crash

Salary

As per Forbes, Verstappen holds the title of Formula 1’s highest-earning driver for 2022, with a pre-tax total income of $60 million, comprising his salary and bonuses. ^[18]Forbes

Assets/Properties

He lives in a rented luxurious flat in Monaco, valued at US$16 million, situated on the eighth floor, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. ^[19]Style

Favourites

• Racing Track: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium

• Sports (other than Formula One): Football and Moto GP

• Sportsperson: Johan Cruyff, a Dutch professional football player and manager

• Football Club(s): FC Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven

• Country: Holand

• Food: Schnitzel, Carpaccio, and tomato soup

Facts/Trivia

• Max Verstappen is often referred to as “Mad Max.” In 2020, Verstappen rejected the nickname, but he is frequently referred to as ‘Mad Max’ due to his “potentially dangerous” defensive movements and occasional moments of frustration. ^[20]Planet F1

• He follows a non-vegetarian diet, and he is often spotted relishing his favourite Schnitzel.
  

  Max Verstappen enjoying a crab dish

• Max Verstappen’s hobbies include Sim racing, Jet skis, quad bikes and motorbikes, and playing video games (PlayStation).

• When he joined Formula One in 2015, he was only 17 years old, making him ineligible to complete his driver’s test and acquire a road car license. ^[21]The Guardian

• After signing Verstappen, Red Bull gave Helmut Marko with the responsibility of overseeing his development and offering guidance. Christian Horner, who had considerable experience working with young drivers, also played a crucial role in providing advice and support.

• Despite providing sponsorships for the team, Verstappen’s entry into Formula 1 was made through his affiliation with the Red Bull Junior Academy. Reportedly, Red Bull’s current strategy does not involve recruiting pay drivers, and they choose their drivers exclusively based on their performance and skills.

• Max Verstappen is considered one of the fastest Formula One drivers.
  

• He has never been lapped in any race he has completed.

• Max Verstappen has witnessed defeat from a teammate on two occasions during a full season, and both instances involved Daniel Ricciardo. In 2016, Verstappen finished 52 points behind Ricciardo, and in 2017, the gap was 32 points. Following those seasons, Verstappen has not been defeated by any teammate.

• He relies on a Red Bull Powertrains engine, produced at the Red Bull F1 facility in Milton Keynes, which is developed in collaboration with Honda. Honda was the manufacturer behind the title-winning engine used by Verstappen and Red Bull in 2021.

• Max Verstappen holds several age-related records in Formula 1, but he didn’t become the youngest F1 World Champion. That distinction still belongs to Sebastian Vettel, who won the championship at the age of 23 years and 124 days. Verstappen claimed the title at the age of 24 years and 73 days. ^[22]Formula 1

• During the initial phases of his Formula 1 journey, Max Verstappen frequently faced criticism and was often labeled as a “dirty driver” due to his involvement in accidents with other drivers. However, as time passed, he refined his racing skills and developed into one of the most skilled wheel-to-wheel racers in the entire field. ^[23]Planet F1

• Because of the regulation changes in 2019, Max Verstappen had to change his choice of helmets from Arai to Schuberth. The changes made to the regulations resulted in his Arai helmets becoming too small and uncomfortable for him to wear in the car; Red Bull permitted him to switch to Schuberth helmets before the start of the 2019 season.

• He lobves pets and owns two Bengal cats named Lewis and Toto, and they are reportedly valued at up to $3,000 each. ^[24]Crash

• In an interview, Max Verstappen disclosed that he has a fear of spiders and sharks. ^[25]Formula 1

• As a signature quote, Max Verstappen frequently uses the phrase “simply lovely.” Verstappen has also used this term to express his gratitude to his team on various occasions.