Verstappen expands his luxury fleet: After a yacht, now a private jet as Formula 1 World Champion adds another high-end purchase to his collection – Max Verstappen is making headlines once again – not only for his dominance on the Formula One circuit, but also for his latest extravagant purchase. Fresh from adding a luxury yacht to his collection, the Dutch racing star has now acquired a high-end private jet. The price tag? A staggering sum befitting a four-time world champion.
A few weeks ago, Verstappen took delivery of a brand new 33-metre luxury yacht that reportedly cost him tens of millions of dollars. But his latest purchase suggests that life on the water isn’t enough. To travel in the ultimate style and comfort, the Red Bull driver has now invested in a state-of-the-art jet, adding to his fleet of exclusive vehicles.
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News of Verstappen’s latest acquisition first surfaced on the X account ‘Max Verstappen’s Jet’, a page dedicated to following the F1 champion’s flights. The account, which has nearly 44,000 followers, has been tracking his air travel for years. Up until now, Verstappen has been flying in a Dassault Falcon 900EX, but it seems the time has come for an upgrade. He is reportedly set to replace his existing jet with the more advanced Falcon 8X.
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A $50 million investment in speed and luxury
Like his previous aircraft, Verstappen’s new jet is expected to be a unique bespoke design. Speculation is that the new plane will retain the black and orange colour scheme of its predecessor, ensuring that his signature look continues to stand out at airports around the world.
While Verstappen has not publicly disclosed the exact purchase price, industry estimates suggest that a Dassault Falcon 8X typically costs around $50 million. One of the main advantages of the new jet is its extended range. Compared to its predecessor, which had a range of 7,800 kilometres, the Falcon 8X has an impressive 12,000 kilometres without refuelling.
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No financial worries for Verstappen
For Verstappen, the cost of this latest luxury acquisition is barely a dent in his earnings. According to RacingNews365, his base salary from Red Bull for the 2025 season alone is expected to be in the region of $65 million, excluding bonuses. On top of that, lucrative sponsorship deals will bring in millions more, pushing his estimated earnings for 2024 to $75 million.
With that kind of financial backing, Verstappen can afford to indulge in some of the world’s most expensive toys, whether they be on the water or in the air.
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MORE F1 VERSTAPPEN NEWS – Red Bull mechanic defends Verstappen amid FIA crackdown on swearing
Calum Nicholas plays down controversy over F1 drivers’ language – The debate surrounding the language used by Formula 1 drivers has intensified in recent months. Max Verstappen, one of the sport’s most outspoken figures, was even given a community service order by the FIA for using an expletive during a press conference. Meanwhile, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation, has spearheaded efforts to introduce stricter regulations aimed at reducing swearing in the sport’s top tier.
However, not everyone believes the problem is as serious as it is being made out to be. Red Bull Racing senior mechanic Calum Nicholas has spoken out in Verstappen’s defence, arguing that the Dutchman’s choice of words should be seen in the context of the sport’s high-pressure environment.
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Gruelling season for Verstappen
Although Verstappen ultimately secured his fourth consecutive world title, his road to victory in 2023 was far from smooth. The Red Bull driver was often vocal about his frustrations with the car’s performance, often resorting to colourful language when things didn’t go to plan.
Nicholas, who plays a key role in ensuring Verstappen’s car is race-ready, insists the driver’s emotional outbursts should not be taken personally. In an interview with talkSPORT, he gave an insight into the high-intensity world of F1 and why strong language is just part of the job.
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“It’s just a word” – Nicholas on swearing in F1
“When drivers are in the middle of a race, the language used in the heat of the moment can be very colourful. But I think we have to remember that drivers are under a lot of pressure at that moment,” Nicholas explained.
He dismissed the idea that Verstappen’s swearing was offensive to the team, insisting that the mechanics understand the stress the drivers are under.
“It’s not like we’re standing in the garage listening to the comments and thinking, ‘Oh! I can’t believe he’s being so mean to us,'” he added, making it clear that emotions run high during races but are rarely taken to heart.
Nicholas also noted that the Red Bull garage is no stranger to strong language, with the mechanics themselves often using expletives in moments of high tension.
“It is a stressful environment, but you can use that kind of language without it being offensive. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a smile; it doesn’t necessarily say anything about the mood. It’s just a word.
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The importance of trust between driver and team
Beyond the language debate, Nicholas emphasised the trust and understanding that exists between a driver and his mechanics. He believes this relationship is crucial to Red Bull’s continued success.
“There is a real relationship of trust between the drivers and the mechanics in the garage. We’re in a very fortunate position with our drivers. We know that if we give Max the car he needs, he’ll get the results,” said Nicholas.
He acknowledged that while pressure is part of the job, much of it comes from within the team rather than from outside scrutiny.
“There is pressure, but it’s mainly internal. We are our own worst critics,” he concluded.
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A debate that won’t go away any time soon
Despite Nicholas’ defence of Verstappen, the FIA’s tougher stance on driver behaviour suggests that the debate over swearing in F1 will continue. Whether or not the governing body will impose even harsher penalties in the future remains to be seen.
For now, Verstappen and Red Bull appear unfazed by the controversy. The team remains focused on maintaining its dominance in F1, with performance rather than words the priority.
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The world appears as though the era of the dictator is nigh. Russia decided in 2021 they wished to re-draw the UN agreed territories following World War II and so invaded Ukraine with president Putin asserting the former Soviet state was in fact “not a proper country.”
Formula One appears to be suffering a similar fate and whilst the teams and drivers’ are not yet facing a takeover by force, sinister forces are at work which are now to affect all the stakeholders within the most watched annual sporting series in the world.
Lewis Hamilton was weeping tears of regret as his Mercedes team decided not to pit him for fresh rubber during the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Meanwhile Max Verstappen had been given new tyres by his Red Bull team and blew past the Mercedes driver who was leading the race to claim his first F1 drivers’ title, whilst simultaneously denying Hamilton of the much coveted eight world championship…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
