Max
Verstappen
Date of birth | September 30, 1997 |
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Birthplace | Hasselt, Belgium |
Age | 26 |
Nationality | ![]() Netherlands |
Career start | 2015 |
Disciplines | Formula 1 |
As well as a famously fast father, Verstappen's mother, Sophie was also a successful kart driver.
Born in Hasselt, Belgium, in 1997, it wasn’t long before the young Verstappen hit the race track, and by 2003 he was karting regularly in Genk, Belgium. In 2005, things got serious, and he took part in his first championship, the Belgium Championship Mini (VAS), where he won all 21 races. By 2013, Verstappen had won just about everything karting had to offer, winning the 2013 World KZ championship at Varennes-sur-Allier in France. His single-seater debut came in the inaugural Florida Winter Series, but he was soon snapped up by Van Amersfoort to take part in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. At just 16, Verstappen took the F3 championship by storm, winning his sixth race before going on to win an incredible six consecutive victories in the series, placing third in the overall rankings.