Verstappen passes theory driving test
Max Verstappen has cleared the first hurdle as he seeks a normal road car driving licence.
The controversy sparked by the young and inexperienced driver's impending Grand Prix debut reportedly triggered the FIA's tough clampdown on the rules for qualifying for a super licence beyond this year.
One of the stipulations for 2016 and beyond will be that any budding F1 driver must at least be 18 and hold a normal licence to drive a car on public roads.
Verstappen, 17, is at least now half-way towards satisfying one of those criteria.
His official website has announced that Verstappen is now allowed to drive in Belgium, where he lives, under supervision, having passed the theory test.
"It wasn't as tough as I thought," Verstappen said. "I studied for about seven hours and because I'm a quick learner it wasn't all that hard."
He now has to wait until he can sit the practical driving test.
"In Belgium you need to be 18 for that," said Verstappen, "so I'm not there yet."
Race debut
Verstappen's main focus for now is on March, when he will make his Toro Rosso race debut in Melbourne.
The 17-year-old participated in some Friday practice sessions last year, but still only a year has passed since he moved out of karts and into Formula 3.
"Since the start of January, me and my personal trainer have been working out hard," he revealed.
"Every day we do two sessions of two hours in the gym. It's tough but it's really benefiting my neck muscles, arms, core and back. At this moment in time, it's all about developing strength."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Max Verstappen takes just 14 laps to overtake 100 amateur karters in manic event
Max Verstappen beats the 100 in blistering time as it happened
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
“I’m not enjoying life” – How Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull F1 stint “exhausted” him
Red Bull insists “there is nothing wrong” with Isack Hadjar's recovery
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Max Verstappen takes just 14 laps to overtake 100 amateur karters in manic event
Hendrick to bring back iconic neon yellow car numbers for 2027
NASCAR changes wet-weather tire policy for Bristol to give teams more control
Max Verstappen beats the 100 in blistering time as it happened
F1 doesn't need to change its VSC rules despite Lando Norris' Spain loss
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments