At 27, Max Verstappen, who has won his fourth consecutive world title, is a veteran of ten Formula 1 seasons in which he has forced officials and enthusiasts to spend seemingly as much time consulting rulebooks as he does record books.

This season’s tight battle saw the fighter take on an often-pressured Verstappen and fresh criticism for his willingness to push the rules in his dealings with rivals.

Verstappen shook off the condemnation for the way he tried to hold off title rival Lando Norris in the Mexican Grand Prix.

“I think I know what I’m doing,” he said. “Some people are just a little biased, I understand that, that’s fine. Ultimately, it’s not my problem.”

Verstappen comes from racing stock. His Dutch father Jos drove eight Formula 1 seasons. His mother, Sophie Kumpen, was a Belgian karting champion.

He started karting in 2005 and won titles as he progressed through the classes, ending with a record-setting season in 2013.

Verstappen spent the 2014 season winning races in F3. He joined Red Bull’s development team and drove an official practice session in a Toro Rosso at the Japanese Grand Prix, three days after his 17th birthday.

When he made his racing debut in a Toro Rosso in Australia during the 2015 season opener, he became the youngest Formula 1 driver ever by almost two years.

Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, responded by changing the rules governing Formula drivers’ super licenses. They stipulated, among other things, the possession of an actual driver’s license.

By the time Verstappen met that requirement, after his 18th birthday in September 2015, he had completed 14 Grand Prix.

– Pedestrian crossing –

He said he almost failed his test because he challenged the examiner about the rules as he approached an intersection.

“I argued with him because I thought they weren’t at the intersection,” he said. “They’re not there yet, so why should I stop? But yes, I stopped gratefully to let them pass… I think the examiner was nice to me.”

He followed that up with a new coming-of-age ritual, leaving his father’s house and moving to Monaco, “not for tax reasons,” he emphasized.

Verstappen started the 2016 season at Toro Rosso, but was promoted to Red Bull after four races. He won his debut with a major team, the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest ever F1 winner, two years and 210 days younger than Sebastian Vettel in 2008.

Vettel had become the youngest world champion in 2010, the first of four consecutive world titles with Red Bull.

Verstappen’s youthful promotion took place at a team overshadowed by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton.

It would take Red Bull and Verstappen until 2021 to catch up.

After Honda replaced Renault as engine supplier in 2019 and after upgrades ahead of the 2021 season, Verstappen’s Red Bull was fast enough.

He and Hamilton traded blows in a duel that at times resembled a demolition derby

Verstappen came off worse at Silverstone. In Monza the two took each other out of the race.

In Saudi Arabia, Verstappen caused a late crash, but Hamilton still won. The two men went into the final race in Abu Dhabi with an equal number of points.

Hamilton led late when the safety car came out. Officials allowed lapped cars to pass the leader, giving Verstappen a clear overtaking lap when racing resumed on the final lap. He overshot and claimed his first world title.

– ‘Feet on the ground’ –

That moment turned out to be one of the turning points of Formula 1.

In 2022, Verstappen won 15 of 22 races and beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to the title by 146 points.

In 2023 he delivered F1’s most dominant season, winning 19 of 22 races, finishing second in two others and amassing 575 points. Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finished second at 285.

“Will it be achieved again in my lifetime?” That’s what Red Bull boss Christian Horner said. “I don’t think we can improve on what we did this year.”

The prophecy quickly came true. Verstappen was pushed to the limit by the ever-improving McLarens and Ferraris, but still managed to take a fourth title.

Verstappen has adopted the characteristics of Formula 1 life. He bought a jet in 2021. Since 2020, he has been in a relationship with model Kelly Piquet, the daughter of three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson.

“As a person he hasn’t changed,” Horner said in 2023. “He’s still got his feet on the ground. All the fame that comes with that is uncomfortable for him because he’s just a racer and a very straightforward guy.” to work with.”

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