Who Is The Youngest Formula 1 Driver?
The first Formula 1 race took place in Silverstone, England, in 1950. Since then, Formula 1 has expanded to include 10 teams, each with two drivers. During the 2023 season, 21-year-old Oscar Piastri will be the youngest driver on the grid. In his first season, Piastri will drive for McLaren under the guidance of Zak Brown. However, in Formula 1 history, Max Verstappen made his debut as a 17-year-old to become the sport’s youngest driver of all time.
Youngest Driver in 2023
When the 2023 Formula One World Championship kicks off at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri will be the season’s youngest driver. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Piastri spent the 2022 season as the reserve driver for Alpine but made the decision to sign with McLaren in 2023. Alongside Lando Norris, the 21-year-old will look to improve on McLaren’s recent performances and compete for a World Championship.
Although he is a newcomer to Formula One, Piastri is no stranger to success. During the 2020 season, Piastri won a title in Formula 3. To follow up on his championship performance, Piastri cruised to a landslide victory in Formula 2 a season later. In racing history, only Charles Leclerc and George Russell, two of the sport’s best young drivers, have accomplished this terrific feat. Be on the lookout for McLaren’s newest young driver to compete on the world’s largest racing stage in 2023.
Youngest Driver of All Time
In the Netherlands, a citizen must be 18 years old before obtaining a permanent driver’s license. For Dutch driver Max Verstappen, waiting until the age of 18 was never an option. During the 2015 Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen made his debut in Formula 1 at the age of 17 years and 166 days for Toro Rosso. With this debut, Verstappen became Formula 1’s youngest driver of all time, knocking off Jaime Alguersuari’s previous record. Coincidentally, Alguersuari also drove for Toro Rosso and made his first appearance at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix at the age of 19 years and 125 days.
By his second season, Verstappen made the transition to Red Bull, where he continues to drive today. In his Formula 1 career to date, Verstappen has won 35 races and 20 pole positions, made 77 podium appearances, and taken home two World Championship titles. As the youngest driver to ever appear in Formula 1, Verstappen has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s greatest competitors.
FAQ
Who is the youngest Formula 1 driver?
Currently, the youngest Formula 1 driver is Oscar Piastri. As a driver for McLaren, Piastri will make his debut at the age of 21 and look to compete for the 2023 World Championship. In Formula 1 history, the sport’s youngest driver was Max Verstappen, who made his debut at the age of 17 in 2015.