From chubby cheeked child to F1 world champion, in under 25 years. From karting championships in Belgium to making waves in the Formula Three Championship, Young Max Verstappen embarked on a journey in motorsport that is nothing short of remarkable.
He has carried on with the projectile and is now two-time world champion (possibly 3 time in 2023). He is the dominant driver on the grid, in much the same way that Lewis Hamilton was in previous years.
Young Max Verstappen Karting
In his early days, Verstappen made his mark in the Mini Junior championship of Limburg, Belgium. By 2006, he clinched the Belgian Rotax Max Minimax title and went on to dominate the Dutch Minimax championship the following year.
Racing with equipment supplied by his father, he added multiple Belgian titles to his accolades. In 2009, partnering with Team Pex Racing, he secured victories in both the Flemish Minimax and the Belgian KF5 championships.
Young Max Verstappen Enters the International Arena
The year 2010 marked Verstappen’s entry into international karting. Representing the CRG factory team, he showcased stellar performances in the World and European championships. He finished behind Alexander Albon at the KF3 World Cup.
Max Verstappen swiftly turned the tables at the WSK Euro Series, and even triumphed at the WSK World Series. Over the next couple of years, he continued his dominant run, notably becoming the youngest ever to win the KZ world championship in 2013.
Young Max Verstappen – Car Racing
Transitioning to car racing, Verstappen got his first taste behind the wheel at Pembrey Circuit in late 2013.
Testing for multiple Formula Renault 2.0 teams, he consistently outperformed many seasoned racers.
His impressive performances paved the way for his debut in the Florida Winter Series in 2014. Here he bagged multiple victories, including an edge-of-the-seat win at Homestead–Miami Speedway. The margin was a mere 0.004 seconds over Nicholas Latifi.
His success in the series was soon followed by a remarkable stint in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, where he secured a record-breaking ten victories, positioning him as a force to be reckoned with in motorsport’s future.
