As the Japanese GP approaches, we look back to 2014. A very young Max Verstappen, 11 years ago, made his first strides in Formula 1. This made him the youngest driver ever in an official F1 weekend. This achievement was a harbinger of all the other records the Dutchman would break. We take you back to that first free practice in Japan.
Many Dutch racing enthusiasts likely set their alarms (quite) early on October 3, 2014. At 01:00 UTC, Max Verstappen drove out of the Suzuka pit lane for his first laps in Formula 1. His weapon was Jean-Éric Vergne’s Toro Rosso STR9, the battleground the first free practice. The then 17-year-old driver would be used more frequently that season during training sessions to prepare him for his inevitable F1 debut.
Photo Series
A young Verstappen travels with his father Jos to Suzuka for his first appearance in a Formula 1 weekend. Jos was instrumental in his son’s career (Motorsport Images)
At exactly 01:00 UTC, Max Verstappen’s STR9 is one of the first cars on the track. The Dutchman, as a good driver should, gradually builds up his laps (Motorsport Images)
The now three-time world champion completes 22 laps with a fastest time of 1:38.157. Verstappen thus records the twelfth fastest time of the day, only 0.443 seconds slower than regular Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat. Interestingly, Verstappen raced with number 38 in 2014 (Motorsport Images)
With just 7 minutes left on the clock, disaster strikes. White smoke from the STR09 signals the end of Max Verstappen‘s first miles in Formula 1.
The Toro Rosso is removed from the circuit on a tow truck. Yet, Max Verstappen is satisfied with the session afterwards: “I wasn’t even close to the limit,” he responds coolly. VT1 has been driven, the tone has been set.
