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MV

Max Verstappen

Athlete

Max Verstappen is a Dutch racing driver and the reigning Formula 1 World Champion.

Notable Quotes

"If you would have told me yesterday I would be on the front row, I would have taken it."
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"I would quit F1 if changes were not made."
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"It's definitely heading into a very positive direction. I think it's the minimum I was hoping for. I think it's really nice that's what they want to do. That's definitely what I think also the sport needs."
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"calling them fundamentally flawed."
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"quite crazy"
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"quite crazy"
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"It was very close, it could easily have been P3 or P6/7."
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"It's quite obvious why. We will go back on the old one and see whenever the new one is ready again to be used by us."
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"Was calculated."
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"Verstappen slams 'joke' F1 after Chinese GP retirement"
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"Going to 8MJs probably helps a tiny bit, but the basics are the same."
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"We have the best people and I'm excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again."
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"Of course it's not where I want to be, but as a team we're trying to just learn and understand a lot of things for next year."
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"It comes down to also feeling well within a team. This is like a second family to me."
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""It's a tickle. It's not what we need yet to really make it flat out.""
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"It's a tickle. It's not what we need yet to really make it flat out."
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"Even in a few years time when maybe I’m not here anymore, I really hope for the future drivers as well, that there’s more input from the drivers to the organisers in general."
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"With the changes that are made, I think it’s more like a tickle, because at the end of the day it’s a very complex and political sport."
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"For me there was no hard feelings on that. As a team, of course we look to the future."
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"It’s a tickle, but it needs a bit more than a tickle for next year, that’s for sure."
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"I think everyone has tried their best to at least do something. But of course it won't change the world. It's a tickle."
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"I still have time and I'm taking my time."
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"it's not a charity event"
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"It's been an incredible result for us."
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"Fantastic, we have been trying many grands prix to get pole, sometimes a bit closer than others. But to finally get it from where we started the season, pretty incredible."
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Related Stories

Verstappen wins in Malaysia after long delays as Russell retires

Max Verstappen takes his and Red Bull's first win of the year with a dominant drive in a dramatic Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia that started amid chaotic and unprecedented scenes.

October 4, 2026

'Incredible' Red Bull upgrade enlivens F1 in Malaysia

Even Lewis Hamilton fears Max Verstappen will be tough to beat in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

October 3, 2026

Verstappen takes first 2026 pole ahead of Hamilton

Max Verstappen takes his and Red Bull's first pole position of 2026 with an imperious performance in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

October 3, 2026

Verstappen tops Bahrain GP in Malaysia first practice

Red Bull's Max Verstappen tops the timesheets as Formula 1 returned to the Sepang track for the first time in nine years for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

October 2, 2026

'I still feel as fast as anybody' - Alonso on why he's staying in F1

Fernando Alonso commits to staying in Formula 1 with Aston Martin for at least one more year. - and explains why to BBC Sport.

September 29, 2026

Does Horner have a chance of Ferrari job? F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

September 29, 2026

'Mr Saturday' Russell 'comes through other side after real tough period'

George Russell described the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as "the most dominant weekend I've had in my career" after a win that felt like vindication.

September 26, 2026

Russell wins despite late Verstappen challenge

Mercedes' George Russell holds off a late challenge from Red Bull's Max Verstappen to win an Azerbaijan Grand Prix enlivened by two late safety car periods.

September 26, 2026

Antonelli 'comes back to earth' with qualifying crash

Kimi Antonelli says he is "very mad" about his crash in qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which means he will start from 16th on the grid.

September 25, 2026

Russell takes pole in Baku as Antonelli hits wall

George Russell takes pole position for Mercedes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as his team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli crashes out.

September 25, 2026

Russell fastest from Antonelli in Baku practice

Mercedes driver George Russell heads both Friday practice sessions at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

September 24, 2026

Red Bull's Hadjar to return at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will return at this week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the past three races with a wrist injury.

September 22, 2026

Verstappen easily beats 100 racers in a go-kart

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen easily beats 100 amateur go-karters from the back of the grid in a challenge at Silverstone.

September 17, 2026

Verstappen passes 100 amateur karters in 14 laps in exhibition race

Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen passes 100 amateur drivers in just 14 laps in an exhibition go-kart race at Silverstone.

September 16, 2026

How did they get the Madring track so wrong? - F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Spanish Grand Prix.

September 15, 2026

Antonelli impressive and one of Colapinto's best weekends - driver ratings

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the Spanish Grand Prix.

September 13, 2026

Pacesetter Russell says Madrid 'has less margin than Monaco'

George Russell goes quickest in first practice for the Spanish Grand Prix - hours after saying the circuit has little margin for error.

September 11, 2026

McLaren talks, 'numb' cars and being 'captain of the ship' - Verstappen Q&A

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Max Verstappen talks about his new contract at Red Bull and much more.

September 9, 2026

Are Leclerc's crashes becoming a problem for Ferrari? - F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Italian Grand Prix.

September 8, 2026

Wrist injury to keep Hadjar out of Italian GP

Red Bull will be without Isack Hadjar at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix as he continues to recover from a wrist injury.

September 2, 2026

Red Bull still have F1's most powerful engine

In the FIA's latest rankings, Red Bull have again been found to have the most powerful engine in F1.

August 26, 2026

Is Mercedes' 2026 dominance over? F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Dutch Grand Prix.

August 25, 2026

Dutch GP re-starts after Verstappen crashes on opening lap - Reuters

Dutch GP re-starts after Verstappen crashes on opening lap Reuters

August 23, 2026

Russell wins Dutch GP sprint from pole position

Mercedes' George Russell leads from start to finish to win the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix.

August 22, 2026

Antonelli leads Norris in Dutch GP first practice

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli heads McLaren's Lando Norris in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

August 21, 2026

Verstappen extends Red Bull deal to 2030

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen signs a contract extension with Red Bull, keeping him with the Formula One team until 2030.

August 20, 2026

Dutch GP in pictures as F1 prepares for Zandvoort farewell

A selection of images from the Dutch Grand Prix, as Zandvoort prepares to host a Formula 1 race for the final time.

August 17, 2026

Can Lawson keep seat for 2027 season? - F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions.

August 11, 2026

Why is Hamilton getting so many penalties? - F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

July 28, 2026

Complete weekend for Norris but poor result for Sainz - driver ratings

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

July 26, 2026

Norris wins his first grand prix of year in Hungary

Lando Norris takes his and McLaren's first victory of the year in a compelling Hungarian Grand Prix.

July 26, 2026

Norris on pole as Hamilton and Antonelli penalised

McLaren's Lando Norris takes his first grand prix pole position of 2026 in Hungary, as Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli are both given grid penalties.

July 25, 2026

Malaysia set to host F1 race in October

Malaysia is set to hold a grand prix in October as a replacement for the Bahrain race that was called off earlier this season.

July 25, 2026

Russell proud of resilience after string of problems

George Russell says he has had to be "the most resilient I've ever been" to cope with the string of problems that have affected his title challenge.

July 23, 2026

Why was Hamilton penalised but not Leclerc? - F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the Hungarian Grand Prix.

July 21, 2026

Verstappen top in first practice as Hadjar takes grid penalty

Red Bull's Max Verstappen heads Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton at the top of the times in first practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.

July 17, 2026

Red Bull to change wing after Verstappen crashes

Red Bull are reverting to a conventional rear wing for the Belgian Grand Prix following high-speed crashes for Max Verstappen in the previous two races.

July 16, 2026

Did F1 miss trick with British GP safety-car finish? - Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

July 7, 2026

Strong weekend for Lindblad and Leclerc composed - driver ratings

BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the British Grand Prix.

July 5, 2026

Antonelli beats Leclerc & Hamilton to Silverstone pole

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli takes pole position for the British Grand Prix, beating the Ferraris and team-mate George Russell.

July 4, 2026

Antonelli passes Hamilton to win Silverstone sprint

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli overtakes Lewis Hamilton to win an action-packed sprint race at the British Grand Prix.

July 4, 2026

Hamilton takes pole for Silverstone sprint race

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton pips Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli to a stunning pole position for the sprint race at the British Grand Prix.

July 3, 2026

Hamilton fastest in Silverstone practice session

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton leads the way in practice at the British Grand Prix before sprint qualifying later on Friday.

July 3, 2026

Did Russell's pole set dangerous precedent? F1 Q&A

BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions after the Austrian Grand Prix.

June 30, 2026

How Russell's quick thinking produced unexpected pole

Quick thinking, experience and a "magic lap" come together to produce an unexpected pole position for George Russell at the Austrian Grand Prix, writes Andrew Benson.

June 27, 2026

Antonelli leads Russell in Austrian first practice

Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell in a Mercedes one-two in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.

June 26, 2026

Formula 1 agrees to engine design change after criticism

Formula 1 agrees a two-step plan to change engine design in response to criticism of this year's new rules.

June 10, 2026

Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark

In Monaco, "everything clicked" for Kimi Antonelli but his Mercedes team-mate George Russell was "beyond frustration" after another race without points.

June 7, 2026

Antonelli snatches Monaco pole with 'magic lap' for Mercedes - Reuters

Antonelli snatches Monaco pole with 'magic lap' for Mercedes Reuters

June 6, 2026

Verstappen says F1 rule changes 'a tickle'

Max Verstappen says the changes to F1's rules amount to "a tickle" in terms of addressing his and other drivers' concerns about the new style of racing.

April 30, 2026

FIA reports 'constructive dialogue' in initial F1 rules meeting - Reuters

FIA reports 'constructive dialogue' in initial F1 rules meeting Reuters

April 9, 2026

Formula 1 now 'much more fun' - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says the new Formula 1 this year is "much more fun" than any other time in his career.

March 26, 2026

Verstappen slams 'joke' F1 after Chinese GP retirement - Reuters

Verstappen slams 'joke' F1 after Chinese GP retirement Reuters

March 15, 2026

Home hero Piastri crashes out before Australian Grand Prix - Reuters

Home hero Piastri crashes out before Australian Grand Prix Reuters

March 8, 2026

Verstappen crashes out in first qualifying session in Australia - Reuters

Verstappen crashes out in first qualifying session in Australia Reuters

March 7, 2026