THE CHRONICLES OF MAX: THE LION, THE DUTCH AND THE RB19

Born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium, Max Verstappen is now at the peak of the motorsport world, having secured his third drivers’ championship during the Sprint Race on Saturday, October 7, amassing such a high point total that he alone dominates the constructors’ standings as well. One of the most exciting and promising drivers in Formula 1, his career has been marked by records of precocity, extraordinary skills, and an insatiable hunger for success.

The career of young Max Emilian Verstappen began, as is customary, in the world of karting at the venerable age of four, following in the footsteps of his father Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver, and family friend Michael Schumacher. A talent that quickly blossomed and laid the foundations for a bright future: in 2013, Max won the European KZ Karting Championship, demonstrating the caliber he was made of. However, these were years of sweat and trauma, marked by the strict discipline imposed by his father and the separation from his mother and sister Victoria. Shocking moments—such as the episode where, after losing a race, he was left by his father at a gas station in the middle of the night and forced to stay alone in the darkness—were, however, defined by the driver as necessary for his development.

The turning point in his career came in 2015, when he became the youngest driver ever to compete in Formula 1: at just 17 years old, without a super license but, more importantly, without a driving license, Max signed a contract with Scuderia Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri). Thus began his Formula 1 journey, which later saw him promoted to a full-time driver alongside then-Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. His Australian debut was spectacular, earning him the recognition of being the youngest driver to score points in a Grand Prix. But the real success came in 2016, when, promoted mid-season to Red Bull Racing, he secured his first career win at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race: after the double retirement of the Mercedes drivers, Verstappen defended himself from the two Ferraris of Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. In the following years, Verstappen continued to demonstrate his skill and competitiveness: he secured numerous wins and podiums, emerging as one of the main challengers to Mercedes’ dominance, and breaking record after record.

One of Verstappen’s distinctive qualities is his ability to manage pressure: a constant calm, the result of evident dedication and passion in every aspect of his career. Over time, he has shed the anger and explosiveness of “Mad Max”—which still makes an appearance in fun team radio moments with expletives worthy of a Venetian accent—to make room for maturity and calm in high-pressure situations: this resilient mentality has allowed him to face Formula 1 challenges with determination and focus.

But alongside his natural talents is a dedication and passion like few others: Verstappen is a driver who is constantly seeking improvement, working in tandem with his team to refine the performance of his car. His tireless work ethic, crucial to his success, sees him working on the simulator day and night, going through the circuits of the calendar time and again to gain control each week.

And beyond his talent on track, Max is known for his involvement in promoting motorsport, helping young talents, and his numerous donations to charitable organizations: his Max Verstappen Foundation supports youth karting projects and offers opportunities for emerging young drivers, while frequent helmet and race suit auctions benefit various associations. Recently, in May, he also hosted an e-race streamed online to aid Emilia Romagna and the families affected by the heavy rains and subsequent flooding.

An extraordinary career destined to last, a driver who embodies the passion, determination, and talent necessary to excel in the competitive world of Formula 1: with many years ahead of him, Max Verstappen is surely set to leave a lasting mark in the history of motorsport.