Max Verstappen reaches a significant career milestone this year. The Dutch racing driver completes ten full seasons with Red Bull Racing. He also celebrates a full decade since his very first Formula One victory.
A Record-Breaking Debut
Verstappen made history back in 2016. At just 18 years old, he became the youngest ever Formula One race winner. This incredible feat happened during his debut race for Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix.
He replaced Daniil Kvyat on the team just before that event. After qualifying in fourth position, Verstappen drove a perfect race to take the checkered flag. He broke the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel in the process.
Fans Celebrate a Decade of Dominance
Formula One recently revisited that iconic 2016 moment online. The official F1 account shared a video clip from the Spanish Grand Prix on social media platform X. The video showed Verstappen's winning moment and his immediate reaction on team radio.
The post caption highlighted the anniversary. It read, "Max's mesmerising maiden win in Spain! 2026 marks 10 years since Max Verstappen became F1's youngest winner, and all in his first race at Red Bull."
Fans quickly flooded the comments with praise and nostalgia. One supporter wrote, "Absolutely awesome for this Throwback Thursday. The cars look so much different from not that long ago."
Another fan posed a big question, asking, "Is he the best we have ever seen?" Many expressed disbelief at how quickly time has passed. "Hard to believe it's been 10 years already," one comment stated. "That win in Spain was the moment everything changed... instant history."
Other admirers simply celebrated his career trajectory. "Max's rise has been unreal to watch," claimed one social media user. Another described his performance as "spectacular in every sense, how magnificent."
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Verstappen now prepares for the upcoming F1 championship under new regulations. He recently spoke to Swiss publication Blick ahead of Red Bull's livery launch. The driver expressed caution about the team's readiness for preseason testing.
"I think that during the first tests in Barcelona starting on 26 January, we'll be spending more time in the garages than out on the track," Verstappen admitted. "None of us have any idea about the new car or the engine. Hopefully, we'll all be a bit wiser after the two tests in Bahrain in February."
The 2026 Formula One season officially begins on March 8. The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne will kick off the championship. Verstappen will have a new teammate this year. Former Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar joins Red Bull, replacing Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen's career continues at an elite level. Last season, he narrowly missed securing a fifth World Championship by a mere two points. His decade with Red Bull remains defined by that stunning debut victory and sustained excellence.
