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F1 'too easy' as teen Verstappen makes debut at Suzuka

F1 'too easy' as teen Verstappen makes debut at Suzuka

  • Published on 30 Sep 2014 09:43
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
F1's governing body has cleared the way for Max Verstappen to make history this week at Suzuka. Under existing rules, a hopeful rookie can qualify for the mandatory 'super license' credential by testing for more than 300 kilometres under FIA supervision.

Verstappen, who turns 17 on Tuesday, did that recently at Adria in Italy, as Red Bull pushes F1's youngest ever driver into action at an unprecedented speed. "He did 396 kilometres without any problem," said Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost in Singapore. "People were really impressed with his performance and now it's in the hands of the FIA."

Indeed, the Faenza based team announced on Monday that the Dutchman has been granted a super license, and will therefore make his Friday practice debut at Suzuka in Jean-Eric Vergne's place. Even so, the Verstappen issue is a contentious one.

Some believe it is ridiculous that a driver who does not even qualify for a road-driving license can leap almost directly from karting to motor racing's highest category. "His appearance (in Japan) will underline fears that the sport is simply too easy," The Times correspondent Kevin Eason reports. "The FIA ... is said to be examining ways of making F1 cars harder to drive," he revealed.

Another measure under scrutiny is the ease with which drivers can obtain the super license, after the FIA recently vowed to "review the qualification and conditions" for the credential. Nonetheless, Verstappen is unfazed by the controversy. "I don't look at social media too much," he is quoted by the Dutch website racexpress.nl. "There are many negative things written, but also many positive things as well. I just concentrate on what I'm doing." (GMM)
F1 News Max Verstappen

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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
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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
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Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
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Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
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19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
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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
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Brazil Interlagos
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Driver profile

NL Max Verstappen 33
Max Verstappen
  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,664
  • Podiums 101
  • Grand Prix 189
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
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