Max Verstappen has named his debut race win and first championship as the best moments of his career with Red Bull so far, as the Dutch driver called the team his “second family”.
Verstappen – who this season has been forced to bat away speculation that he might be considering a move away from the team – has driven for Red Bull since 2016, when he was promoted from then-named Toro Rosso, switching seats in a straight swap with Daniil Kvyat.
He went on to win on his debut for the Milton Keynes outfit at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming the youngest race winner in the history of the sport after holding off the Ferrari duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.
Looking back to his first win as he spoke to Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast, the Dutchman explained: “Of course, some people were still questioning if [the promotion] was the right move. Luckily that weekend went really well, so I was very happy with that. I think also for Helmut [Marko] at the time, he felt very happy with his decision to promote me.”
Verstappen has found remarkable success on the back of that win, claiming three consecutive drivers’ championship victories beginning in 2021, and fighting for a fourth this season to match Vettel’s record at the team.
His first world title came at the end of an intense season-long battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, which saw the two go into the final race in Abu Dhabi tied on points.
“The first title together was very emotional after such a year, which was very very difficult and hard on everyone,” he said. “Those moments I will never forget. The general relationship I have with the team – it definitely just feels like a second family, you know? I can really be myself, which is also very important.
“It’s just great – there are so many people that have been there from the start, but also new people that came into the team, and it’s just fantastic to be able to work with all of them.”
The Red Bull driver currently leads this season’s standings ahead of Lando Norris, providing 277 points of the team’s 408 total as Sergio Perez continues to navigate a tough year.
Prior to the summer break, Verstappen endured four races without a win for the first time since 2020, with Hamilton, Oscar Piastri and George Russell all capitalising to take the top step of the podium.
Verstappen said that winning races “feels a bit different” compared to his first season with the team, adding: “I grew up. I was 18 when I joined Red Bull Racing, so I’m a bit older and hopefully a little bit wiser.
“I honestly don’t care about the records – when I’m sitting on the beach drinking gin and tonic I don’t care about that, so I’ll be fine!”
