Teenager, 16, To Become Youngest Formula One Driver In History

Teenager, 16, To Become Youngest Formula One Driver In History
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and driver of the #30 Van Amersfoort Racing Dallara F314 Volkswagen celebrates his second place at the FIA Formula 3 European Championship race at the Silverstone Circuit on April 20, 2014 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and driver of the #30 Van Amersfoort Racing Dallara F314 Volkswagen celebrates his second place at the FIA Formula 3 European Championship race at the Silverstone Circuit on April 20, 2014 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)

A 16-year-old boy will become the youngest ever Formula One driver when he joins Toro Rosso next season.

Max Verstappen, who turns 17 at the end of September, currently competes in Formula Three, but will replace Jean-Eric Vergne when Formula One starts again for the new race season.

Max, who is the son of former Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, said joining Formula One had always been his 'career goal'.

"Ever since I was seven years old, Formula One has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true," he told reporters.

Toro Rosso's team principal, Franz Tost, added: "We consider Max to be one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation and we believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to take on this challenge successfully."

According to the BBC, the current youngest driver to earn a Championship point is Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat. Daniil was 19 when he finished 9th in this season's opening race back in March.

He will be Max's teammate in 2015.

Good luck, Max!

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