Jess Lee

A trip down memory lane as three-time World Champion and youngest driver ever, Max Verstappen, celebrates ten years since his debut in Japan.

First time for everything

On 3rd October 2014, Max Verstappen became F1’s youngest driver ever. Debuting at 17 years old, he completed 22 laps for Toro Rosso in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix. 

Despite an engine failure with seven minutes left of the session, he set a flying lap of 1:37.714. Just 0.4 seconds off his teammate Daniil Kvyat, it was clear a racing star was about to emerge. 

Reviewing his time out on track, Verstappen explained: “It was all about getting experience in the car.”

The differences in power and feel of the car surprised him: “The car is bigger compared to the one I’m used to in Formula 3 […] there are a lot more things to think about while you’re driving. I had to use some laps to get confident with such a different car.” 

Where did it start for F1’s youngest driver ever?

Verstappen raced for Van Amersfoort in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship in 2014. Helmut Marko, head of Driver Development at Red Bull, scouted Verstappen during this time. He watched the youthful driver win at the Norisring in Germany and later signed him to a Red Bull Junior Contract. Marko disclosed to ServusTV it was clear then that Verstappen “was an extraordinary talent.”

What happened next?

“In 2016, he became the youngest driver ever to win a race on his Red Bull debut at the Spanish Grand Prix”

Things only improved from there, with Verstappen making his full F1 debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. Despite not finishing his first race, he ended the season in 12th with 49 points to his name.

In 2016, he became the youngest driver ever to win a race on his Red Bull debut at the Spanish Grand Prix, at 18 years and 228 days old. Verstappen explained he “couldn’t believe [he] was leading” during the race and “absolutely didn’t expect” to win overall.

As of late

Since then, Verstappen has become the first Dutch driver to win three World Championships and is pursuing his fourth this season. 2023 saw the flying Dutchman claim the most wins in a season- 19 in total- and surpass his previous record of ten consecutive race wins.

Red Bull offered Verstappen their longest-ever contract in 2022, a year after his maiden World Championship. This contract ties him to the team until 2028 as a “statement of intent” from “the best driver on the grid.”

He commended the team’s progression and said: “Our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship, and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term.”

Current Controversy

Amid accusations within Red Bull’s inner workings, Verstappen could leave the team if Marko is relieved of his current role. The Austrian may face disciplinary action in relation to media leaks surrounding the Christian Horner allegations. Verstappen supposedly has an exit clause in his contract that enables him to leave if Marko is made redundant by Red Bull.

“I have a lot of respect for Helmut and what we have achieved together.”

Due to a strong relationship with Marko, Verstappen has remained loyal to him since being recruited in 2014.

He spoke to The Guardian after taking pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: “I have a lot of respect for Helmut and what we have achieved together. It goes very far […] he is an important part in my decision making for the future.

“It is very important that he stays. I feel like if such an important pillar falls away, and I have told the team this, that it is not good for my situation as well,” he continued.

Horner denied the claims and has been cleared by an internal investigation from Red Bull GmbH.

When recently asked about his end-of-the-season situation, Verstappen replied, “I’m very happy where I am.”

This suggests a move is unlikely for the Dutchman, despite being a rumoured candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.

Japan 2024

After a DNF in Australia, Verstappen appeared to bounce back in Japan, telling the BBC: “If you look at Melbourne performance-wise, we were quick, but we didn’t finish the race. So that’s not ideal, but our car normally likes the higher speed corners, so hopefully that you know we can show that again this weekend.”

Verstappen was forced to retire for the first time in two years due to a brake failure on the fifth lap in Melbourne, ending his 10-race winning streak.

On his previous visits to Japan, Verstappen enjoyed the top spot on the podium, having won in Suzuka since 2022. In 2023, the Dutchman won the Japanese Grand Prix with an almost 20-second lead on Norris in P2. 

In a video previously posted to his YouTube channel, Verstappen reflected on his debut and claimed: “It’s always special to get to Japan.”

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Featured image courtesy of Photoshoot4You on Pixabay. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here. 

Sports Journalism student at Solent University in Southampton.

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