Max Verstappen will become Formula One’s youngest ever driver when he lines up on the grid at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne for Scuderia Torro Rosso in just over four month’s time.
He only turned 17 on September 30 and is set to break the record currently held by previous Torro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari by nearly two years when the 2015 season gets underway on March 3.
Verstappen is grounded, polite, and mature for his age but one thing he isn’t is nervous about becoming the sport’s youngest ever rookie.
“To be honest, it doesn’t really make a difference, I just want to be in F1,” he said.
“If it means I’m two years younger than the last youngest, it doesn’t really change anything, I just can’t wait to get back in the car.
“The last few years I was always thrown in at the deep end in every category I’ve been in, so I know what I’m capable of. I don’t think my age makes a difference.”
He admits to having sizeable ambitions for the future, although there might be a conflict of interest with one of his aims which is to become the most successful Dutch F1 driver of all time. To do that he will have to dislodge his father Jos, who raced in 107 grands prix between 1994 and 2003.
“Hopefully, I will become more successful than him, but we will see in a few years. I also hope I can take that one from him (most successful Dutch driver), but not only that one. We work together to reach this goal so he will help me with it.” His father has been a “massive” influence on Verstappen and, while some children are steered away from an interest in fast cars and high risk interests, his childhood was a little different.
“My dad, massively,” Verstappen responds when asked who has been his greatest fan.
“In every way. In go-karting we did everything together, we had our own workshop. He prepared my engines, he was my mechanic, my coach, we travelled everywhere together. It’s quite a special relationship.
“Everything I’ve learnt in racing, he taught me. If you have a family that’s into motor racing it’s easy to get caught with the racing virus.
“Without him things wouldn’t have happened as quickly, because from when I was very young I was prepared very well and pushed in the right direction,” he said.
Soaking up the UAE sun and enjoying what will become familiar surroundings in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen is realistic about next season.
He said: “I will try to be consistent, try not to make too many mistakes and try to take good points for the team. This team is known for young drivers and giving them the best support possible, it feels like a family already and I think that’s very important to deliver results.
“This year they showed really good results and hopefully that can continue next year.”
Verstappen is in a unique position in that, despite his tender age, he is Torro Rosso’s lead driver for next season.
Jean-Eric Vergne’s future is uncertain, although the Frenchman is understood to be in contention for the second driver position next year.
Quizzed about his preference of team-mate, Verstappen said: “It’s always good to have an experienced driver next to me but Red Bull decides.”
“At the end it’s about how you deliver on the track and I’m not worried about that, I have no fears.”