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Free practice debut in 2014 possible for Max Verstappen

Free practice debut in 2014 possible for Max Verstappen

  • Published on 19 Aug 2014 08:28
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Toro Rosso has confirmed reports Max Verstappen will become F1's youngest ever race driver next year. The teenage Dutchman, whose father Jos drove for Toro Rosso's former guise Minardi just over a decade ago, will replace team veteran Jean-Eric Vergne in 2015. Team boss Franz Tost thanked Frenchman Vergne for his "hard work" since his 2012 debut and tipped him to "show that he still deserves another opportunity in formula one".

It is also bad news for Carlos Sainz jr, who was previously the favourite to be Russian Daniil Kvyat's next teammate. "Many people asking which way I'm going to take," Spaniard Sainz said on Twitter after the Verstappen news broke, "and I say the same as since the start of the year -- hard work, perseverance and the (World Series by Renault) title!" Vergne, 24, is yet to comment.

The news was first announced late on Monday by Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko on Austrian television Servus TV. Marko said Verstappen, who will be 17 when he makes his record-breaking F1 debut next March, will be with Toro Rosso at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend but only to observe. "After the formula 3 season is finished," Marko said, "his programme will intensify. We will organise a 300 kilometre test for him to obtain the super license," he added.

It is rumoured Verstappen might then make his grand prix weekend debut late this season, perhaps in Austin, Brazil or Abu Dhabi, during Friday morning practice sessions. "It was not difficult for us and every top team as well to realise what an extraordinary talent he is. We are very proud that he has joined Red Bull," said Marko.

"Max is the sort of driver who can start straight away in formula one. There are not many who have managed the transition from karting to formula 3 so well. He does not need more experience in the other junior classes," Marko insisted. (GMM)
F1 News Max Verstappen Daniil Kvyat Carlos Sainz Jr Renault Minardi

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Ferrari
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Red Bull Racing
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Mercedes
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China
Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco
Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria
Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

NL Max Verstappen 33
Max Verstappen
  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,941
  • Podiums 110
  • Grand Prix 204
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
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Renault
Renault
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