Max Verstappen to become youngest F1 driver ever

THE HAGUE - Dutch driver Max Verstappen is set to become the youngest driver ever in Formula 1 after signing for Red Bull Racing's Junior Team Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2015 season on Monday.

Verstappen will drive for the team from the start of the 2015 Formula 1 season, alongside the 20-year-old Russian Daniil Kvyat. He turns 17 on September 30 this year and will become the youngest F1 driver ever if he starts his first race next year, beating the previous record held by Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, who was 19 years and 125 days in 2009.

"Ever since I was seven years old, Formula 1 has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true," Verstappen stated in a press release by Red Bull. "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."

Verstappen is the son of Jos Verstappen (42), who drove in Formula 1 from 1994 until 2003, finishing on the podium twice in his first season. With his father always present, Max Verstappen became karting world champion and he made a smooth transition to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship this year by winning 8 of the 27 races held to date.

"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," Max Verstappen said.

"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," the young driver continued. "First of all a big thanks to my father Jos, who has always been by my side, day and night, year after year."