Max Verstappen: The Unstoppable Force in Formula One

A fully illustrated biography of Max Verstappen, from karting in the junior races at age 10 to his third time winning the world championship at the end of 2023.

Max’s journey to Formula 1 stardom was not a typical one. His parents are both motorsport talents. He was born in Belgium to mum Sophie Kumpen, a champion karter, while dad Jos Verstappen was Benetton team-mate to Michael Schumacher and survived perhaps the scariest F1 pitlane incident when his car caught fire during a refuelling stop.

As well as being good team-mates, his dad and Michael Schumacher became great friends over the years. Max grew up going on family holidays with Schumacher and his son, fellow F1 star Mick.

Max broke all the records for youngest driver after he made his official debut in 2015, including youngest ever driver to win an F1 race after he transferred from Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2016.

However, his move was at the expense of Daniil Kvyat who was demoted to Toro Rosso in his place. Verstappen then started dating Kvyat’s girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, and is now stepfather to Kvyat’s son. Complicated to say the least!

Max’s career has barely spanned a decade and he’s already gained the title of the most popular Formula One driver. With incredible skills on the track and a legion of travelling Dutch fans, he’s a force to be reckoned with and the one to watch in racing.

This fully illustrated biography explores his youth karting through to the end of the 2023 season, interspersed with 10 key races, including:
 

• His debut F1 race for Toro Rosso
• His wholly unexpected win on debut for the Red Bull team in 2016, the Spanish Grand Prix where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg took themselves out on the opening lap
• The 2021 British Grand Prix at Silverstone where he survived a 56G deceleration as he hit the barriers at Copse corner
• His titanic showdown in Abu Dhabi where he won his first controversial world championship
• His second world championship win in 2022
• His latest win and third world championship in 2023