Verstappen’s remarkable debut Red Bull win remembered

F1.com commemorates the 10th anniversary of Max Verstappen’s maiden victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, a defining moment that shocked the sporting world. Following his mid-season promotion from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old stepped into the Red Bull seat and immediately made history, capitalising on a dramatic first-lap collision between Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Journalists and fellow drivers recall the immense pressure and controversy surrounding his sudden promotion, as well as the sheer disbelief in the paddock after his composed drive to victory. Verstappen’s triumph not only set a new record as the youngest-ever race winner but also signaled the arrival of a future superstar, setting the trajectory for his dominance in the years that followed.