From Mad Max to Mighty Max: Mature Verstappen joins gilded group

There he snatched a controversial last-lap triumph from Lewis Hamilton, depriving the Briton of an unprecedented eighth triumph to land Red Bull's first championship since Sebastian Vettel completed four in a row in 2013. Mercedes retained their teams' title for an eighth consecutive season, but that result spelt the end of their Formula One domination. Red Bull had firmly hinted at what lay ahead and in 2022 they delivered a supreme car, capable of winning anywhere and in any conditions, and a more polished and mature version of Formula One's first Dutch champion. Having celebrated his 25th birthday just over a week ago, he is the second-youngest two-time champion behind Vettel and now stands at the threshold of what may be a record-breaking career.

Read AlsoRed Bull's Max Verstappen retains F1 world title after Japan GP win

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won his second Formula One world championship amid scenes of confusion on Sunday after Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc collected a five-second post-race penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix.

It is a remarkable achievement by a driver who was only 17 when he began his Formula One career with Toro Rosso in 2015. He claimed his maiden victory a year later with Red Bull driving with an almost reckless abandon. Now teenage "Mad Max" has matured into "Mighty Max". The son of Jos, a former journeyman Formula One driver, and Belgian world-class kart racer Sophie, Max sped to multiple titles as a boy and almost won the F3 title at his first attempt aged 15. Although his parents separated when he was a child, their influence was lasting and created an aggressive racer who grew up with his father surrounded by cars and mechanics.

Former Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo recalled his