Teen Titan: Max Verstappen makes history as youngest Formula One race winner
Dutch teenager, only 18, beats Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen while Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collide and crash out in the first lap
Teenager Max Verstappen became the youngest ever Formula One winner on Sunday when he took full advantage of Mercedes’ first-lap crash to claim a drama-laden Spanish Grand Prix.
It was a great race and it felt like an endurance race. To win straight away, in my first race, it’s an amazing feeling
In his maiden outing for Red Bull following his unexpected promotion from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old Dutchman showed supreme composure under pressure as he resisted all attacks to claim a memorable victory in only his 24th F1 race.
At 18 years and 228 days, the son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen became the youngest race winner, replacing four-time champion Sebastian Vettel who had also taken that record as a Red Bull driver at 21 years and 74 days in 2008.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Verstappen.
“It was a great race and it felt like an endurance race. To win straight away, in my first race, it’s an amazing feeling.
“From a very young age, my Dad has helped me a lot – it’s just amazing.”
Verstappen, heralded as the sport’s hottest property, proved he has everything required to be a future world champion.