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 'too easy' as teen Verstappen makes debut at Suzuka
- Published on 30 Sep 2014 09:43
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
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Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
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Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
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Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Spain
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Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Driver profile
- Team Red Bull Racing
- Points 3,557
- Podiums 131
- Grand Prix 245
- Country NL
- Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
- Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.8 m
- 843,043 comments on Red Bull Racing
983 members have this team as their favourite
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