Max Verstappen will become Formula One’s youngest ever driver after Toro Rosso confirmed he will join them next season.
Verstappen, currently competing in Formula Three, will make history when he lines up at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, aged just 17.
The Dutchman, whose father Jos is a former Formula One driver, will replace Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne. Verstappen said: “Ever since I was seven years old, Formula One has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true.”
Jaime Alguersuari is the youngest driver to have started a grand prix to date, also joining Toro Rosso, aged 19 years 125 days in 2009.
Verstappen has caught the eye in his first year in single-seaters, winning eight races in the FIA Formula Three European Championship to put himself in title contention