Max Verstappen has become a big name in Formula 1.
He’s won lots of races and set many records.
This weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix sprint race is another exciting event for him.
Max Verstappen: Key Highlights and Current Status
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Austrian Sprint Race | |
| Pole Position | Yes, with a time of 1:04.686, beating Lando Norris. |
| Top Qualifiers | 1. Max Verstappen 2. Lando Norris 3. Oscar Piastri |
| Saturday Goal | Win the sprint race, earn points, and maintain momentum. |
| Grid Penalty Status | No current penalty, likely later due to engine limits. |
| Power Unit Status | Fourth unit used, potential new unit needed, leading to a grid penalty. |
| Career Highlights | |
| Grand Prix Wins | 61 wins (31% win rate) |
| Career Stats | Starts: 195 Poles: 39 Podiums: 106 Championships: 3 |
| Fastest Lap | 1:15.915 at Albert Park |
| Personal and Professional | |
| Cars | Renault Clio RS, Honda NSX Type S, Aston Martin DBS, Aston Martin Valkyrie |
| Contract | With Red Bull Racing until end of 2028 |
| Salary | $55 million annually |
| Net Worth | $210 million in 2024 |
| Personal Life | |
| Father | Jos Verstappen, former F1 driver |
| Girlfriend | Kelly Piquet, model and daughter of Nelson Piquet |
Austrian Sprint Race Update
Did Verstappen Take Pole for the Austrian Sprint Race?
Yes, Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix sprint race.
He beat Lando Norris of McLaren by 0.093 seconds, setting the fastest time of 1:04.686 in the final qualifying session (SQ3).
Here are the top three qualifiers for the sprint race:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
This qualifying session only sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint race and doesn’t affect Sunday’s main Grand Prix event.
“It was a really close session, but I’m glad we managed to clinch the pole. It’s always great to start at the front, especially in a sprint race where every position counts.” – Max Verstappen, Sky Sports
What Is the Goal for Verstappen and His Team on Saturday?
Max Verstappen’s goal for Saturday is simple: win the sprint race at the Austrian Grand Prix. Here’s what you need to know:
- He secured pole position with a time of 1:04.686.
- He narrowly beat Lando Norris by 0.093 seconds.
- This is Verstappen’s eighth sprint pole of the season.
- The sprint race will cover 100km over 24 laps.
- As the pole-sitter and championship leader, Verstappen wants to turn his pole position into a win.
- Winning would earn him extra championship points and keep his momentum for Sunday.
“Our strategy is simple: stay ahead, avoid any unnecessary risks, and secure those valuable points. Every race counts towards the championship, and we aim to make the most of every opportunity.” – Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, Motorsport.com
Does Max Verstappen Have a Grid Penalty?
Max Verstappen doesn’t have a grid penalty right now, but he might get one later this season. Here’s the situation:
- Verstappen has used his fourth and final penalty-free power unit components.
- Any new engine components will result in grid penalties – 10 places for a full engine and 5 places for other components.
- Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said it’s “inevitable” Verstappen will need an extra engine.
- The problem came from an issue with Verstappen’s power unit during practice in Canada, which is now being checked by Honda.
- Verstappen is waiting to hear from Honda about the status of that power unit.
What Is the Status of Max Verstappen’s Power Unit?
Here’s what’s happening with Max Verstappen’s power unit:
- He has used his fourth and final penalty-free power unit components.
- He’s close to getting a grid penalty for using too many power unit parts.
- In Canada, he had a problem with the electrical part of his power unit during practice.
- This power unit is being inspected at Honda’s headquarters in Japan.
- Verstappen is waiting for news from Honda.
If the power unit doesn’t pass inspection, Verstappen will need a new one, resulting in a 10-place grid penalty.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said it’s “inevitable” Verstappen will need an extra engine and a penalty.
“We’re in a bit of a tricky situation with the power unit, but we’ll handle it as it comes. It’s part of the sport, and we’re prepared to adapt our strategy if needed.” – Max Verstappen, Autosport
Max Verstappen’s Career Highlights
How Many Wins Does Max Verstappen Have?
Max Verstappen has 61 Grand Prix wins. This means he’s won 31% of the races he’s started.
His win count has been growing fast over the past few seasons:
- In 2021, he won 10 races.
- In 2022, he broke the record with 15 victories in a single season.
- The 2023 season was amazing for him with 19 wins.
- In 2024, he has added more wins to his total.
At only 26 years old, Verstappen is in the top three for most Grand Prix wins in F1 history.
His total is even higher than four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s 53 wins.
What Are Max Verstappen’s Career Stats?
Here are Max Verstappen’s key career stats in Formula 1:
- Grand Prix Entries/Starts: 195
- Grand Prix Wins: 61 (31.3% win rate)
- Pole Positions: 39 (20% of races)
- Podium Finishes: 106 (54.4% of races)
- Fastest Laps: 32 (16.4% of races)
- Front Row Starts: 68 (34.9% of races)
- Total Career Points: 2805.50
- Average Points per Grand Prix: 14.39
- World Championships: 3
- Wins from Pole Position: 32 (16.4% of races)
- Points Finishes: 160 (82.1% of races)
- Average Grid Position: 5.3
- Average Finish Position: 3.6
These stats show how consistent and successful Verstappen has been in Formula 1.
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What Is Max Verstappen’s Fastest Lap?
Max Verstappen’s fastest lap record is 1:15.915, set at Albert Park, the circuit for the Australian Grand Prix.
This is the fastest lap ever at Albert Park, achieved after some changes to the track.
Verstappen has set the fastest lap in many Grand Prix races, with his most recent at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Personal and Professional Details
What Car Does Max Verstappen Drive?
Max Verstappen drives several high-performance cars. Here’s a list:
- Renault Clio RS: His first car, received on his 18th birthday.
- Honda NSX Type S: Gifted by Honda in 2022, it has a 3.5-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6.
- Aston Martin DBS Superleggera: It has a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine and was sold in 2022.
- Aston Martin Valkyrie: A $4.5 million hypercar with a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12.
- Various sponsor cars: From brands like Aston Martin, Honda, and Ford.
As a Formula 1 driver, Verstappen races the Red Bull Racing F1 car, the RB20 for the 2024 season.
What Is Max Verstappen’s Contract Situation?
Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028.
He signed a seven-year extension after his first World Championship win.
Despite rumors about moving to Mercedes, Verstappen confirmed he will stay with Red Bull for the 2025 season.
Verstappen is committed to Red Bull, focusing on future car development.
Rumors about moving to Mercedes were dismissed by Verstappen.
His contract has a clause that lets him leave Red Bull if team principal Christian Horner or advisor Helmut Marko depart, but it hasn’t been activated.
In summary, Verstappen is with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028 and has confirmed his intention to stay for the 2025 season.
What Is Max Verstappen’s Salary?
Max Verstappen’s salary for the 2024 season is $55 million, making him the highest-paid driver. Here are some details:
- Verstappen earns $55 million in base salary from Red Bull Racing.
- This ties him with Lewis Hamilton, who also earns $55 million.
- Verstappen’s salary is much higher than most drivers. Charles Leclerc, the third-highest paid driver, earns $34 million.
- In addition to his salary, Verstappen likely earns bonuses based on performance.
- His salary reflects his status as a three-time world champion and his dominant performance, including setting records for most points and wins in 2023.
- His contract runs until the end of 2028.
These figures are estimates, as exact F1 driver salaries are not officially disclosed.
The $55 million doesn’t include extra income from bonuses, sponsorships, or endorsements.
What Is Max Verstappen’s Net Worth in 2024?
Max Verstappen’s estimated net worth in 2024 is $210 million. Here’s how it breaks down:
- His main income is his F1 salary, around $55-60 million annually from Red Bull.
- He signed a long-term contract with Red Bull in 2022, paying over $50 million per year through 2028.
- He earns bonuses for race wins and championships.
- He has endorsement deals with brands like Heineken, EA Sports, and Jumbo supermarkets, adding several million dollars yearly.
- Verstappen has smart investments, including real estate and racing team projects.
- His assets include luxury cars, a private jet, and a $16 million apartment in Monaco.
At 26, Verstappen’s net worth has grown quickly due to his success on the track and good financial management.
His estimated $210 million net worth comes from his F1 salary, endorsements, and investments, making him one of the richest drivers in the sport.
Personal Life
Who Is Max Verstappen’s Father?
Max Verstappen’s father is Jos Verstappen. Here’s a bit about him:
- Jos is a former F1 driver, competing from 1994 to 2003.
- He played a big role in Max’s career, being a mentor and support.
- Max and Jos have a close relationship. Max says, “We have a very closerelationship and speak daily.”
- Jos is described as “very outspoken and truthful” by Max.
- Recently, Jos was involved in a controversy with Red Bull Racing and team principal Christian Horner. He criticized Red Bull’s decision to keep Horner, worried about internal issues.
- Despite this, Max defended his father, saying, “My dad is very outspoken and truthful, based on my knowledge of him from our karting days.”
- Their relationship has grown over time. Max mentioned their collaboration wasn’t always smooth early in his career.
- As Max became more established, Jos’s role decreased, with Max becoming more independent.
“My dad has always been there for me, pushing me to be my best. Even though we have our differences sometimes, his support has been crucial to my success.” – Max Verstappen, BBC Sport
Who Is Max Verstappen’s Girlfriend?
Max Verstappen’s girlfriend is Kelly Piquet. Here’s what you need to know:
- Kelly Piquet is a 35-year-old model, born in Germany in 1988.
- She is the daughter of three-time F1 World Champion Nelson Piquet.
- Max and Kelly have been dating since the end of 2020 and went Instagram official in early 2021.
- Kelly has a daughter, Penelope, born in July 2019, from her previous relationship with F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
- She has worked in fashion, as a stylist assistant at Vogue Latin America and as a model for brands like Pepe Jeans and Louis Vuitton.
- They live together in Monaco and have two Bengal cats, Jimmy and Sassy.
- Kelly often attends Verstappen’s races and has been there for his big wins, including his titles in 2021 and 2022.
- Despite their strong relationship, Verstappen says they are in no rush to get married.
- Kelly has a big social media presence, with 1.1 million followers on Instagram as of March 2023.
- Recently, Kelly addressed and denied online rumors and accusations that have been circulating for three years, with Verstappen supporting her.
To Conclude
Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1 is full of amazing achievements and a drive for excellence.
As he keeps competing at the highest level, fans can expect more thrilling performances.
The Austrian Grand Prix sprint race is another chance for Verstappen to show his talent and determination.
FAQs
How many points ahead is Verstappen in the championship?
Verstappen is 69 points ahead in the championship.
How long is the sprint race, and how many are left this season?
The sprint race is 100 km long, lasting about 30 minutes. There are three sprints left this season.
Where is Max Verstappen from?
Max Verstappen is from the Netherlands.
What is Max Verstappen’s ethnicity?
Max Verstappen is of Belgian-Dutch ethnicity.
How old is Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen is 26 years old.
When is Max Verstappen’s birthday?
Max Verstappen’s birthday is September 30, 1997.
What are Max Verstappen’s height and weight?
Max Verstappen is 180 cm tall and weighs 67 kg.
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