Formula One: With Max Verstappen, the future has officially arrived

By Asher Fair | Sep 7, 2017

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing talks to the media during previews for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on August 31, 2017 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

The year 2017 has seen the rise of a Formula One superstar in 19-year-old Max Verstappen. Just how good will he become over the course of his career?

Max Verstappen, 19, drives in Formula One for Red Bull Racing, and he has done so since the fifth race of last season. Prior to that, he drove for Toro Rosso, where he made his Formula One debut in the 2015 season.

In his rookie season with Toro Rosso, Verstappen showed that he had what it takes to be a future star, especially given the fact that he was only 17 years old at the time. He ended up finished in 12th place in the final championship standings with a top finish of 4th place at Hungary and the United States.

In the beginning of the 2016 campaign, Verstappen continued his tenure driving for Toro Rosso, doing so for four races. But after the fourth race of the season, he switched placed with Daniil Kvyat at Red Bull Racing.

In his first race driving for Red Bull Racing at Spain, Verstappen ended up winning. While he was aided by a first-lap wreck between Mercedes teammates and championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, the win was still very impressive, especially given the fact that he pulled it off as an 18-year-old in his first race for his new team.

More from Formula One

In the 16 races remaining on the 2016 schedule following his first career victory, Verstappen racked up six more podium finishes en route to an impressive 5th place finish in the final standings.

This season looked like it could be Verstappen’s true breakout season, but things have not gone his way. Mechanical issues after mechanical issues have prevented him from having a very productive season.

Yet here we are with just seven races to go on this season’s schedule, and he still currently sits in 6th place in the standings behind only Mercedes’ two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari’s two drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, and his Red Bull Racing teammate, Daniel Ricciardo.

Why? Because when he hasn’t had his races ruined by mechanical issues, he has racked up plenty of solid results. Through the 12th race of the season at Belgium, Verstappen had six retirements, which goes to show just how many mechanical issues he has had. However, in the six races he actually finished, he did so in the top 5 every single time, which goes to show just how well he has performed when he hasn’t had mechanical issues.

In the 13th race of the season at Monza, he finally finished a race while not doing so in the top 5 this season, and that was because of a grid penalty. He qualified 2nd for the race but was forced to start back in 14th. He ultimately ended up finishing in 10th, which was still solid given the circumstances, especially since he ended up collecting a championship point as a result.

While you could make the case that last year was the year Verstappen blossomed into a Formula One star given the fact that last year was the year he claimed his first career victory in the series at just 18 years of age, this season has shown just how great he is when his car doesn’t give out on him.

Given the fact that he is already on Mercedes’ radar as a 19-year-old teenager and could possibly drive for the team as early as the 2019 season, it is safe to say that Formula One’s future has officially arrived.

Next: Looking back at Lewis Hamilton's record 69 poles

When do you think Max Verstappen will win his first career Formula One world championship? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it. Also be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Home/Formula One