Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing F1 Driver & 2026 Season
Share
Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing F1 Driver & Racing Career
Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula 1 driver competing for Oracle Red Bull Racing. Since making his Formula 1 debut as a teenager, Verstappen has developed into one of the defining drivers of the modern F1 era.
He currently races with car number #3 and has won four Formula 1 World Championships, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Who Is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen was born on 30 September 1997 in Hasselt, Belgium. He comes from a motorsport family, with former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen as his father and successful kart racer Sophie Kumpen as his mother.
Verstappen progressed rapidly through karting and junior racing before joining the Red Bull Junior Programme. In 2015, at just 17 years old, he made his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso.
His early F1 career immediately attracted attention because of his age and aggressive racing style.
Max Verstappen's Formula 1 Debut
Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
He became the youngest driver to compete in Formula 1 at the time, entering the championship at only 17 years old.
His breakthrough with Red Bull Racing came in 2016 when he was promoted from Toro Rosso to the senior team.
At the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen won on his Red Bull debut, becoming the youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula 1 history at the time.
Max Verstappen's World Championships
Verstappen won his first Formula 1 Drivers' Championship in 2021.
He subsequently won three more consecutive titles:
- 2021 World Champion
- 2022 World Champion
- 2023 World Champion
- 2024 World Champion
Formula 1 currently lists Verstappen with four World Championships and 71 Grand Prix victories.
His 2023 campaign included 19 Grand Prix victories from 23 races, according to Formula 1's official driver profile.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing
Verstappen has been part of the Red Bull Racing senior team since 2016.
The partnership has produced:
- 4 Drivers' World Championships
- 71 Grand Prix victories
- Multiple pole positions
- More than 130 career podiums
- Red Bull's Constructors' Championships during the Verstappen era
Red Bull's official announcement states that Verstappen and the team have secured four Drivers' Championships, two Constructors' Championships and 71 Grand Prix victories together.
Max Verstappen's 2026 F1 Season
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduced major technical changes across the sport.
Verstappen continues to race for Red Bull Racing with the team's RB22 and Red Bull Ford power unit.
After 14 Grands Prix, his official 2026 statistics are:
| Statistic | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Team | Red Bull Racing |
| Driver Number | #3 |
| Championship Position | 6th |
| Points | 145 |
| Grand Prix Points | 133 |
| Sprint Points | 12 |
| Grand Prix Starts | 14 |
| Grand Prix Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 6 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Top-10 Finishes | 10 |
| Fastest Laps | 1 |
| DNFs | 4 |
Max Verstappen 2026 Race Results
His 2026 Grand Prix results after 14 rounds include:
| Grand Prix | Result |
|---|---|
| Australia | P6 |
| China | DNF |
| Japan | P8 |
| Miami | P5 |
| Canada | P3 |
| Monaco | DNF |
| Barcelona-Catalunya | P4 |
| Austria | P2 |
| Great Britain | DNF |
| Belgium | P3 |
| Hungary | P2 |
| Netherlands | DNF |
| Italy | P3 |
| Spain | P2 |
His 2026 season currently includes six podium finishes, including podiums in Canada, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Italy and Spain.
Max Verstappen Number 3
Max Verstappen races with car number 3.
The number has become closely associated with his Formula 1 identity since he selected it for his career. Red Bull's current official team profile lists Verstappen as driver #3.
Max Verstappen's New Red Bull Contract
On 20 August 2026, Red Bull Racing officially announced that Verstappen would continue with the team through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season.
This extends a partnership that began when Verstappen joined Red Bull's senior team in 2016.
Red Bull's announcement came during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend and confirmed that Verstappen would remain part of the team's long-term plans.
Max Verstappen and the RB22
For the 2026 season, Verstappen drives the Red Bull RB22.
Red Bull has also entered a new power-unit era with Red Bull Ford Powertrains, following the introduction of the team's own power-unit programme under the 2026 regulations.
The 2026 technical regulations introduced major changes to Formula 1 cars, including new aerodynamic concepts and a greater role for electrical energy.
Max Verstappen's Red Bull Racing Legacy
Since joining Red Bull's senior team, Verstappen has become a central figure in the team's modern history.
His first Red Bull victory came in Spain in 2016, while his first championship arrived in 2021. The following three seasons brought three additional Drivers' Championships.
His partnership with Red Bull has therefore covered the team's major championship eras of the 2020s.
Max Verstappen Racing Apparel
For fans of Max Verstappen and Formula 1, Apex Karting Gear offers a range of motorsport-inspired apparel and racing gear.
Our categories include:
- F1-inspired racing suits
- Karting racing suits
- Motorsport jackets
- Karting gloves
- Racing shoes
- F1-inspired apparel
- Motorsport fanwear
These products are designed for motorsport fans, karting enthusiasts, events, photoshoots and racing-inspired fashion.
Note: Products described as inspired, replica or fanwear are not represented as official Red Bull Racing or Max Verstappen merchandise unless specifically stated on the individual product page.
Max Verstappen Career Highlights
- Born: 30 September 1997
- Birthplace: Hasselt, Belgium
- Nationality: Dutch
- F1 Debut: 2015
- First F1 Team: Toro Rosso
- Current Team: Red Bull Racing
- Driver Number: #3
- First Red Bull Victory: 2016 Spanish Grand Prix
- World Championships: 4
- Grand Prix Victories: 71
- Pole Positions: 48
- Career Podiums: 133
- 2026 Points: 145
- 2026 Championship Position: 6th
- Red Bull Contract: Through 2030
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula 1 driver competing for Oracle Red Bull Racing.
What number does Max Verstappen use?
He races with number 3.
How many F1 World Championships has Max Verstappen won?
Verstappen has won four Drivers' World Championships, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
When did Max Verstappen make his F1 debut?
He made his Formula 1 debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso.
When did Max Verstappen win his first F1 race?
He won his first Grand Prix at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix on his Red Bull Racing debut.
How many F1 races has Max Verstappen won?
The current official F1 profile lists 71 Grand Prix victories.
How long will Max Verstappen stay with Red Bull?
Red Bull has confirmed that Verstappen will race for the team through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season.