Max Emilian Verstappen – A Former Prodigy Known As Baby Driver

Max Verstappen, also known as a baby driver, was born on 30th September 1997 in Hasselt Belgium. He harnessed in to do very large things, that is to die for. Max is a Belgian-Dutch racing driver, presently competing in Formula One under the Dutch flag, Driving starships full of warning lights and speed. Being a Son of a “normal” driver, Max is a perfect fit in this game. The cars are instructed by trained coaches he’ll just do his homework, to go fast. And he’s a good pupil, he’s not scared as this is a normal thing for him. At the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, he became the youngest driver to participate in Formula One as he was 17 years and 166 days older by that time. Like the Australian Grand Prix, he holds different other  “firsts” in Formula One racing. Though, He has already achieved heights till 18.

Max Verstappen was a child prodigy who was drawn in by Red Bull F1 at an early age. He got into F1 directly from F3 at the age of 17 during the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, partnering Carlos Sainz Jr in Toro Rosso. For the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, he was upgraded to Red Bull, a race that he triumphed. There was a lot of exaggeration at the time of his entry into Formula One.

He has always been categorized as the next biggest thing in Formula One. Because of his skill, the previous F1 drivers, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, also tagged him as one of the best F1 drivers on the grid. But his skill and talent also come with him being a madcap often known because of his controversial statements.

Personal life

Max is elderly to a younger sister, Victoria. His father Jo’s Verstappen is a former formula one driver and his mother Sophie Kumpen is a Belgian who competed in Karting.

While Max’s mother was owing her time to Karting activities, he used to spend most of his time with his father, which means he was surrounded by Dutch people more in a day. Hence, he developed a keen interest to compete with a Dutch racing license as he feels it (Dutch) more.

The career of Max Verstappen

When he was four he started Karting and therefore, competed in the Mini Junior Championship of his region Lilburn (Belgium).

In 2006, Verstappen completed his graduation to the Rotax Max Minimax class and received victory in the Belgian championship. In 2007, Verstappen triumphed in the Dutch Minimax championship. Later on in racing in a CRG kart entered by his father, Verstappen swept the board at the Dutch and Belgian Minimax championship as well as the Belgian Cadet championship.

Thereafter In 2009, Verstappen united with Team Pex Racing, a CRG customer team, Following which he acquired the Flemish Minimax championship and the Belgian KF5 championship in the same year.

Achievements

In 2010, Verstappen stepped up to international karting. He got signed by CRG to race at world and European championships for their factory team.

In 2011, Max rise in shine at the WSK Euro Series in a Parilla-powered CRG. In 2012, he was chosen for the Intrepid Driver Program to participate in the KF2 and KZ2 classes. He was victorious in the WSK Master Series in the KF2 class, against CRG driver Felice Tiene. Max also won the South Garda Winter Cup in the KF2 class, contrary to Dennis Olsen and Antonio Fuoco.

By the end of 2012, it was announced that Max would leave fortitude. After a short run with CRG-built Zanardi karts, he came back to the factory CRG team. He finished off at the SKUSA SuperNationals in the KZ2 class in a CRG, on the 21st. In 2013, Verstappen succeeded in the European KF and KZ championships. At the age of 15, Verstappen came in flying colors at the 2013 World KZ championship at Varennes-sur-Allier, France, in KZ1, the highest karting category. 

All his victories labeled him as the baby driver and popular wonderkid of his age.

Also Read: Norbert Wiener, a former prodigy