16-year-old Max Verstappen set to become youngest-ever F1 driver

  • Sport
Max Verstappen will be 17 in September. Credit: Toro Rosso/Twitter

A 16-year-old Dutch racing driver is set to become the youngest-ever Formula One competitor after signing a deal with Toro Rosso for the 2015 season.

Max Verstappen, son of former F1 star Jos Verstappen, currently competes in Formula 3 and is said by the team to be "one of the most skilled young drivers of the new generation".

In a statement on their website, the young man described the move - which comes before he can legally take a driving test in the Netherlands - as a "dream come true".

Max Verstappen, right, with his father Jos. Credit: James Moy Photography/Press Association Images
Verstappen has been described as Credit: Toro Ross/Twitter

He also thanked his father, the most successful Dutch Formula One driver of all time, for being "by my side, day and night, year after year".