Max Verstappen could be the first and last 17-year-old to ever start a grand prix. That is because, following the inexperienced Dutchman's controversial signing by Toro Rosso for 2015, the FIA is clamping down on the requirements for obtaining a mandatory super licence credential.
Verstappen, the son of former Benetton driver Jos, will be unaffected by the changes, which look set to be introduced only in 2016. Indeed, the young driver's preparation for his 2015 debut is already well advanced, and this week he returned to the wheel of a 2012 car at a rainy Imola track in Italy. But a driver in exactly the same situation in 2016 would not be allowed to make his debut.
Verstappen is not yet old enough to drive a normal road car in his native country, and so the FIA will require that its F1 drivers hold "a valid driving licence" from 2016. Not only that, F1 drivers will have to be at least 18 years old.
Verstappen would also fail the incoming requirement of needing to spend at least two years in "minor Formulas". In his first season out of karts, the 17-year-old finished third in this year's FIA European F3 championship. (GMM)
FIA clamps down on requirements for super licence
- Published on 04 Dec 2014 09:10
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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L. Hamilton
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L. Norris
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C. Leclerc
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A. Antonelli
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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G. Russell
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A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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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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