This weekend sees the Japanese Grand Prix dawn upon us, one year after the tragic death of Frenchman Jules Bianchi. We know this will be an emotional time for drivers and we know that whoever it is to win, all results this weekend will be in tribute to the ex-Marussia driver.
One of these drivers is Dutch youngster Max Verstappen, who at the age of seventeen, is the youngest ever Formula One driver to start a race. Verstappen, son of ex-Formula One driver Jos Verstappen, participated in practice at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix with Toro Rosso. Verstappen finished sixth and eighth in Friday’s practice sessions respectively.
It’s no risk saying that the seventeen-year-old is a very promising driver – you’d have to be to make a Formula One debut at seventeen. This season has been very impressive for Verstappen, put his debut retirement away from the picture and focus on finishes such as fourth in Hungary, seventh in Malaysia and eighth in Austria, Belgium and Singapore.
The last time we saw a young Toro Rosso driver impress us like this was with a German driver some of you might know called Sebastian Vettel. The German driver won his first race at Monza in 2008 before going on to record four consecutive World Championships.
It’s good to see another young, promising driver come up through the F1 ranks, Verstappen also shows off Toro Rosso’s incredible youth talent and upbringing. Drivers such as Daniil Kvyat have moved on to greener pastures since impressing at Red Bull’s sister team.
It’s a matter of time for Verstappen, surely he’ll win a Grand Prix? A World Championship? I’ve got my money on this kid…
