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Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, two of Formula 1’s most prominent drivers, began their careers with contrasting backgrounds and paths. Born in Stevenage, England, Hamilton faced racial prejudice and financial struggles in his early karting years. His father, Anthony Hamilton, played a crucial role in supporting his racing dreams, often working multiple jobs to fund his son’s career. Hamilton balanced education at The John Henry Newman School with a growing interest in engineering before making his F1 debut in 2007 with McLaren. He quickly made history, becoming the first Black driver in F1 and later tying the record with seven world championships.
In contrast, Max Verstappen was born in Hasselt, Belgium, into a motorsport family. His father, Jos Verstappen, was a former F1 driver, and his mother was a competitive kart driver. Surrounded by racing from an early age, Max bypassed formal education to focus solely on the sport. He debuted in F1 at just 17 with Toro Rosso in 2015, becoming the youngest driver in the sport’s history. Known for his fearless and aggressive driving style, Verstappen won his first world championship in 2021 and has since continued to dominate the grid with Red Bull Racing, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.