Sixteen-year-old
Max Verstappen is set to become the youngest Formula One driver in
history after joining Toro Rosso for the 2015 season.
The son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen turns 17 in September and currently competes in Formula 3.
Verstappen
said on the Toro Rosso website: 'First of all, I would like to thank Dr
Helmut Marko and Red Bull for all their trust and giving me the chance
to make my Formula debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso. Ever since I
was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this
opportunity is truly a dream come true.'
Racers: Jacques Villeneuve with Jos Verstappen (centre) and his son Max Verstappen (right) at Hockenheim
Verstappen, a former karting world champion, will replace Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne.
Franz
Tost, the Toro Rosso team principal, described Verstappen as 'one of
the most skilled young drivers of the new generation'.
He
said: 'We believe he has the necessary maturity and mental strength to
take on this challenge successfully. This year he has already
demonstrated how well he can cope under difficult conditions.'
He
added: 'It will now be up to us to provide Max with a competitive car,
which will enable him to have the best possible start to his Formula 1
career.'
He
added: 'There are several people that have helped me throughout the
years and still support me to this day and I want to sincerely thank
them.
Talent: Verstappen, a former karting world champion, will replace Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne
Verstappen was quick to praise his father following the news that he will be joining Torro Rosso.
'First of all a big thanks to my father Jos, who has always been by my side, day and night, year after year,' Verstappen said.
'Of
course I'm very thankful for all my sponsors who've believed in my
talent and supported me in these financially difficult times. I hope
that I can maintain a wonderful collaboration with them as I embark on
this exciting new phase in my career.
'I
also want to thank my manager Raymond Vermeulen, for all his efforts in
making this agreement possible. Finally, thanks to all the teams in the
various karting and single-seater categories for their vital help and
support. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
'We've
all worked tremendously hard to reach Formula 1 and I will give my
absolute best to be successful in the pinnacle of motorsport. With the
return of the Verstappen name to Formula 1, I hope we can relive old
memories and I'm hoping to see many fans at all the Grand Prix
circuits.'
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