KIDS with fast cars… surely this cannot be a good idea.
But in F1, it has always been a key part of introducing new superstars to the sport.
Yuki Tsunoda is the next young star to be introduced to the F1 paddock this season
A fresh-faced 17-year-old Max Verstappen at Red Bull
AlphaTauri starlet Yuki Tsunoda is the youngest of the current pack, and is the only current Formula One driver born in the 2000s, having been born on May 11, 2000.
That means he will end the 2021 F1 season having turned 21.
The five youngest drivers to start an F1 Grand Prix race is a star-studded list, featuring current stars such as current world champion Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Lance Stroll.
Who are the youngest F1 racing drivers?
When Verstappen drove his Toro Rosso off the mark in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, he was not old enough to drive a car in his home country the Netherlands, he is still the youngest driver to start an F1 race.
- Max Verstappen. 17 years, 166 days. Debut: 2015 Australian Grand Prix.
- Lance Stroll. 18 years, 148 days. Debut: 2017 Australian Grand Prix.
- Lando Norris. 19 years, 124 days. Debut: 2019 Australian Grand Prix.
- Jaime Alguersuari. 19 years, 125 days. Debut: 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix
- Mike Thackwell. 19 years, 182 days. Debut: 1980 Canadian Grand Prix.
Who is the youngest F1 world champion?
Sebastian Vettel remains the youngest F1 world champion, winning a grand finale in 2010, but he almost did it a year younger as he finished second to Jenson Button in 2009, by just 11 points.
- Sebastian Vettel, 2010. 23 years, 134 days.
- Lewis Hamilton, 2008. 23 years, 300 days.
- Fernando Alonso, 2005. 24 years, 59 days.
- Max Verstappen, 2021. 24 years, 68 days.
- Emerson Fittipaldi, 1972. 25 years, 303 days.
Who is the youngest F1 race winner?
Verstappen takes this one too.
After his debut season driving in a Toro Rosso, Red Bull promoted the Dutchman into their premium seat at the expense of Daniil Kvyat.
- Max Verstappen. 18 years, 228 days. 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
- Sebastian Vettel. 21 years, 228 days. 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
- Charles Leclerc. 21 years, 320 days. 2019 Belgian Grand Prix.
- Fernando Alonso. 22 years, 26 days. 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Tony Ruttman. 22 years, 80 days. 1952 Indianapolis 500.
F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
Who is the youngest F1 driver to get a podium?
You guessed it, super Max.
His aforementioned race win in the Spanish Grand Prix also made him the youngest F1 podium sitter in Formula 1 history.
His record was almost beaten by Lance Stroll, but the American missed out by 11 days.
- Max Verstappen. 18 years, 228 days. 2016 Spanish GP.
- Lance Stroll. 18 years, 239 days. 2017 Azerbaijan GP.
- Lando Norris. 20 years, 235 days. 2020 Austrian GP.
- Sebastian Vettel. 21 years, 73 days. 2008 Italian GP.
- Daniil Kvyat. 21 years, 91 days. 2015 Hungarian GP.
