Max Verstappen turns 27: the crazy numbers of an F1 phenomenon

Max Verstappen celebrates his 27th birthday on September 30th. This is an opportunity for us to retrace the career of the driver who could soon equal a certain Alain Prost in the Formula 1 prize list...

Published on 30/09/2024 à 09:45

Gonzalo Forbes

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Max Verstappen turns 27: the crazy numbers of an F1 phenomenon

At 26, Max Verstappen is already panicking the counters. ©DPPI

If he is only 27 years old, Max Verstappen needs no further introduction. In the world of F1 As a regular driver since he was 17, the Dutchman never ceases to impress. The reigning triple world champion, the driver Red Bull is well on its way to winning a 4th crown and, above all, continuing to establish itself as one of the best in history. On the occasion of its 27th anniversary, we invite you to retrace its prolific career with figures some of which can no longer be beaten.

Verstappen, the golden youth

Promoted to full position at Toro Rosso, since renamed AlphaTauri, in 2015 alongside Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen became the youngest pilot in history to take the start of a Grand Prix (Australia) at just 17 years, 5 months and 15 days, beating by almost 2 years the record previously held by Jaime Alguersuari (19 years, 4 months and 3 days at the Hungarian Grand Prix 2009).

A little over a year after his debut in F1, the Dutchman once again left his mark on the sport by breaking a new record for precocity: that of the youngest winner of a Grand Prix. Having moved from Toro Rosso to Red Bull during the 2016 season, Max Verstappen achieved the feat of winning his first race under his new colors. At 18 years 7 months and 15 days, he beat the mark by almost 3 years. Sebastian Vettel, winner of the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at 21 years 2 months and 11 days.

Since then, Jos Verstappen's son has taken flight for good. Between May 15, 2016, the date of his first victory in Spain, and September 30, 2024, Super Max accumulated successes and pole positions.

As he blows his 27e candle, the Dutchman already has 61 victories in 203 Grand Prix contested. If he wins the championship this season, he will equal Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four world championship titles. In terms of pole positions, he has 40, all acquired between 2019 and 2024.

In addition to his victories and pole positions, Max Verstappen also achieved 13 hat tricks (pole position, victory and fastest lap in a race) and 5 Grand Slams (pole position, victory, leader of a Grand Prix from start to finish and best lap in race).

Max Verstappen, 27 years old and already very successful. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Max Verstappen's figures*

203 Grand Prix
61 wins
40 pole positions
32 best laps in the race
109 podiums
13 hat tricks
5 Grand Slams
2917,50 point
3326 laps leading a Grand Prix

*As of September 30, 2024

ALSO READ > Still annoyed by the sanction imposed by the FIA, Verstappen suggests that he could leave F1 earlier than expected

Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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1 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

30/09/2024 at 11:30 a.m.

Will he continue beyond 30 years? Will he still drive with the new 2026 regulations? Only he knows the answers

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