Darrell Ingham via Getty Images
Sixteen-year-old Max Verstappen is set to become the youngest Formula One driver in history after joining Toro Rosso for the 2015 season.
The son of former F1 driver Jos turns 17 in September and currently competes in Formula Three; he will replace Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne
And Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost has backed the teenage Dutchman to show the "mental strength" to compete.
Verstappen's father Jos (right) drove for Benetton
"We believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to take on this challenge successfully," Tost told the team's website. "This year he has already demonstrated how well he can cope under difficult conditions."
"It will now be up to us to provide Max with a competitive car, which will enable him to have the best possible start to his Formula 1 career."
- Youngest F1 driver: Jaime Alguersuari. Made debut in 2009, again with Toro Rosso, when aged 19 and 125 days
- Youngest F1 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, 21 years, 73 days, Italian GP 2008. he was also driving a Toro Rosso
- Youngest driver to score points in an F1 race: Danil Kvyat, 19 years, 324 days, at this year's Australian GP (his F1 debut)
- Youngest F1 world champion: Sebastian Vettel, 23 years, 134 days, 2010
Verstappen said: "First of all, I would like to thank Dr Helmut Marko and Red Bull for all their trust and giving me the chance to make my Formula debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso. Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true.
"We've all worked tremendously hard to reach Formula 1 and I will give my absolute best to be successful in the pinnacle of motorsport. With the return of the Verstappen name to Formula 1, I hope we can relive old memories and I'm hoping to see many fans at all the Grand Prix circuits."
Hungarian Grand Prix
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(01 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP lifts his trophy on the podium after claiming third in the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Drew Gibson/Getty Images) (credit:Drew Gibson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(02 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after claiming third in the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(03 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after claiming third in the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(04 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates on the podium after claiming third in the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(05 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing speaks with Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP as he celebrates victory on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Drew Gibson/Getty Images) (credit:Drew Gibson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(06 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP lifts his trophy on the podium after claiming third in the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Drew Gibson/Getty Images) (credit:Drew Gibson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(07 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates victory on the podium next Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Drew Gibson/Getty Images) (credit:Drew Gibson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(08 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing speaks with Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP as he celebrates victory on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(09 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates victory on the podium next Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(10 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium with the trophy after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(11 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium with the trophy after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(12 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(13 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates with the trophy on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(14 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). Rosberg placed fourth. AFP PHOTO / FERENC ISZA (Photo credit should read FERENC ISZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:FERENC ISZA via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(15 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium with the trophy after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(16 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (R) and Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (L) celebrate on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(17 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(18 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(19 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(20 of29)
Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso looks on on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(21 of29)
Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso reacts on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(22 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(23 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(24 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(25 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Hungary(26 of29)
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing celebrates victory on the podium next Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at Hungaroring on July 27, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Mark Thompson via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(27 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (L) celebrates with Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(28 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (L) celebrates with Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (C) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (R) on the podium after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK (Photo credit should read ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ATTILA KISBENEDEK via Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-HUN(29 of29)
Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium in front of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso after the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Budapest on July 27, 2014. Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race ahead of Scuderia Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (2nd) and Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (3rd). AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:DIMITAR DILKOFF via Getty Images)