Max Verstappen: The Inside Track on a Formula One Star

Product Information

POINTS: HAMILTON 369.5-369.5 VERSTAPPEN Abu Dhabi: Verstappen grabs title on last lap after Safety Car controversy The only consolation for Hamilton was that he finished second, although it was now clear that Red Bull were on the charge. A thrilling wheel-to-wheel battle between F1's two stars, who had rarely gone head-to-head before, represented the perfect start to the season - and it was a sensational one for Hamilton, given his win against the odds.

Throughout it all Verstappen has, understandably, beamed with enjoyment. Yet along the way there were signs that for all the ease with which he was cantering to the title, his focus and the exacting standards he expected of himself and others remained undimmed. But it turned out to be a masterstroke, with Verstappen storming through Bottas and then closing up to Hamilton, overtaking the Mercedes, who didn't put up much of a fight, on the penultimate lap to extend his title advantage. His reaction and that of his Red Bull team was one of unbridled joy while Hamilton and Mercedes were left disconsolate and convinced the win that had been in their hands had been unfairly snatched from their grasp, leaving the greatest prize in motor racing potentially in the laps of the lawyers. No Hollywood scriptwriter could possibly have envisioned the breathless, adrenaline-pumping climax to the 2021 Formula 1 season. On the very last lap of the final race of an unbelievably arduous and controversial season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen nervelessly overtook the seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes to clinch the first place that thrust the young prodigy to the narrowest of victories and to his first World Drivers’ title. He followed up by taking the 2022 and 2023 titles as well.As the son of F1 legend Jos and elite-level kart driver Sophie Kumpen, Max was destined to be a racing driver. And since that headline-grabbing debut, he has continued to make an indelible impression on the sport, courting criticism and plaudits in equal measure. This positive assessment was matched by the Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner. “The pace was good, the strategy was there, it was the best possible start for us. It was a superb race today, get on the board and get some points early.” Horner knows his driver can achieve so much more and with the regulations set until 2026 Red Bull still have to be caught, but even then there is no indication that beating Verstappen will be an easy task as he sets about defining an era with a smile on his face. “Since 2021, when he was outstanding, we then gave him a better car in 2022 and a better car again in 2023 and he has just maximised it every time,” says Horner. The first and only biography of Dutch Formula One wunderkind Max Verstappen, charismatic winner of the 2021 Formula One title. This sixth constructors’ championship is beyond our wildest dreams, coming into the season I don’t think we could have dreamed of having a season like this,” he said.

But Verstappen, starting third, slipstreamed past the Mercedes front row of Hamilton and Bottas at the start, and the 24-year-old never looked like relinquishing that lead as he won by 16.5 seconds for a record third triumph in Mexico and his ninth race victory of the season. The pair’s battle illustrated that in Verstappen’s wake there is an almighty tussle taking place that has just become all the more fascinating. Indeed, it must be considered that were Verstappen not in this field, this would be an absolutely captivating season. Hamilton held his nerve and, critically, Verstappen miscued his one overtaking opportunity late on by running wide in passing the Mercedes. He had to cede position afterwards, and wouldn't get close again. Few drivers have shaken up Formula 1 in quite the same way as Max Verstappen. Already the youngest competitor in F1 history, he made history as the first Dutch driver to win the World Championship in 2021. In 2022 he retained his title with four races to spare and went on to achieve the highest season points tally of all time.

Baku: Hamilton fails to capitalise on rival's puncture

With the gaps closed the race had the reboot it needed. Per expectations, Verstappen leapt away. Behind him it was battle royale. Hamilton came hard at Norris, throwing himself at him round the outside through Brooklands and Luffield; wheel to wheel, the two drivers separated in age by 15 years went at it. Yet Norris, who had been inspired to enter F1 by watching Hamilton in 2007, was far from afraid of his hero.