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Max Verstappen’s life as an Formula One superstar means that he spends a lot of his life jetting between glamorous locations such as Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas. Now, the Red Bull driver has ensured that he travels the globe in the lap of luxury which is useful with a demanding week of travel on the cards.
The three-time world champion earns a cool $44 million per year, with his success on the track meaning that he now gets to live an ornate life off the circuit. In perhaps his most extravagant acquisition since becoming one of the most recognizable stars in the world, he splashed out on a Falcon-900EX.
Previously the property of Virgin tycoon Richard Branson, the jet changed hands and became the property of the Dutch racer back in 2020 in an eye-watering £12 million deal. The engineering masterpiece, which is powered by three Honeywell boats TFE731-60 engines, can reach a maximum range of 5437 miles on the same supply of fuel.
On top of this, theycan hit a top speed of 554 km/h, with a more leisurely cruising speed of 528 km/h. As for the plane’s interiors, the cabin can also seat up to 12 passengers, while two seats also extend out into a full-size bed, to make the passengers feel even more at home.
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Topping things off, tables have been fitted inside the plane so its occupants can dine while soaring several miles high in the sky. The jet also has its own bar, which is sure to have been used in the past few months as Verstappen secured a third world championship in as many years.
As things stand, the 26-year-old is thought to be the only F1 driver to own his own private jet, apart from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is understood to have previously owned his own plane but is said to have sold his as he looked to reduce his carbon footprint.
Verstappen has certainly got good use out of his prized posession since parting with £12 million for it three years ago. In fact, he travelled some 9,000 miles in 24 hours this month. And no doubt is bad the gruelling 20 hour flight across 13 timezone easier to deal with this last week. Having won in Las Vegas, he reportedly took a flight to Maine, and then on to Amsterdam before heading from his Dutch homeland to Abu Dhabi for the final race of the season.
Despite his clear taste for some of the finer things in life, it is clear that Verstappen does not envisage staying in F1 for years to come, however. In fact, he has previously admitted that he may consider his future in motorsport upon the expiry of his contract with Red Bull due to the demands of his role.
He admitted to the Evening Standard: “There’s more things to life than just Formula 1. I have a contract until 2028 and, after that, I will see. I already have a lot of plans for what I want to do.
“I know what I want to do and I think over time it will only become more and more clear. I don’t want to spend my best years in terms of physicality just in Formula 1. With the races becoming more and more, it’s way too much.”