Vettel calls Verstappen's signing 'borderline' in terms of age
16-year-old Max Verstappen got his first chance behind the wheel of a Formula One car yesterday.
Aug.27 (GMM) Max Verstappen made his debut in a Formula One car on Tuesday.
The well-connected Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claims Red Bull, having newly signed the 16-year-old son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, has targeted October's Japanese Grand Prix as a potential first official outing for Max in 2014.
When you talk to Max, you realise quickly that he is a confident young man who knows exactly what he is doing
Dr. Helmut Marko
That is despite Toro Rosso chief Franz Tost saying at Spa that Verstappen's first Friday practice outings will only be in "Austin, Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi".
But Red Bull may now be speeding up the teenager's already-accelerated F1 programme even more.
"Max is in England for a brief introduction," Max's father Jos is quoted as saying.
He is referring to an outing for Verstappen at Rockingham, at the wheel Red Bull's title-winning 2011 car, in Toro Rosso livery.
It is a shakedown ahead of a forthcoming demonstration event in Rotterdam.
"It (the Rockingham debut) is not a test," Verstappen's father said.
There is some sort of limit and Max is very young
Sebastien Vettel
"Today (Tuesday) he is driving back and forth on the straight to get used to a Formula One car."
Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko confirmed: "Everything went well. Max did everything right, but I expected nothing else.
"When you talk to Max, you realise quickly that he is a confident young man who knows exactly what he is doing," he told Bild.
Vettel isn't completely convinced
But even Red Bull's very own Sebastian Vettel, who made his F1 debut as a teenager, has described Verstappen's age and experience as "borderline".
"There is some sort of limit and Max is very young," the German said on a visit to Sochi this week to try the new Russian Grand Prix layout.
"I guess he should go to school, but he is not going to have much time for that next year!
"He already has a lot of racing experience, and his talent is obvious," continued Vettel. "So why shouldn't he be in Formula One?"
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
Clark, Senna, Antonelli – How the grand chelem age record has evolved
How Anthoine Hubert’s death changed Sebastian Vettel
Kimi Antonelli compared to Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel after stunning 2026 F1 start
Arvid Lindblad admits F1 rookie season has exceeded expectations
F1 2026 mid-season grades: Racing Bulls stuns midfield pack
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Two car chiefs ejected in Richmond after NASCAR Cup inspection issues
Christopher Bell pulls out of Truck race after Richmond postponement
NASCAR Truck race at Richmond postponed to Saturday
Frustration in Markham: IndyCar President Boles calls out Green Savoree Promotions over delayed track build
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
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