Max Verstappen, the current reigning champion in Formula 1, made his debut at the age of only 17 years with the team Toro Rosso. His journey to becoming a world champion was not without challenges, as he had never won a championship in open-wheel racing before. In fact, his best finish was third place in the European F3 in 2014. Reflecting on his progress, Verstappen admitted that he had surpassed his own expectations when he first entered the grid.
Red Bull, known for its successful driver development program, has been instrumental in finding world champions like Verstappen. However, the Dutchman’s path to success was unique compared to others. He made his F1 debut in 2015 with Red Bull and quickly became the lead driver in the junior team. After just five races into the 2016 season, he was promoted to the main team based in Milton Keynes.
Since then, Verstappen has never looked back and has become a three-time world champion. Reflecting on his achievements, he acknowledges that he has exceeded even his wildest expectations. The 26-year-old driver emphasizes the importance of being with the right team. Despite being with Red Bull since his debut, Verstappen recognizes that his success is not easily achieved and is grateful for the performances that have surpassed his dreams.
While Verstappen currently holds the position of being the number one driver in F1, his journey in the motorsport industry is far from over. He is already involved in the sim racing world and co-owns a team. Additionally, he has recently taken steps to set up his own GT3 team. Verstappen recently tested a GT3 car and revealed his plans to compete in the GT3 category with his own team.
The reigning champion has always had a desire to establish his own team, which led to the creation of his racing marque. He is pleased with the three drivers he has signed for his team, as he believes in promoting talented young individuals in the motorsport sphere. Verstappen, currently in his mid-20s, is expected to continue racing in F1 for at least another decade. This leaves ample opportunity for him to potentially win more world championships and expand his racing initiatives in Formula 1.
Photo by Max Verstappen Instagram
