The Five Youngest Drivers in Formula One History

Formula One is known for its incredible level of competition and world-class drivers. Throughout the years, there have been some incredibly talented drivers who have made their mark on the sport. But there have also been some very young drivers who have made history by becoming the youngest to ever race in Formula One. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at the five youngest driver in f1 history and what made them so special.

1. Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is one of the youngest and most successful drivers in the history of Formula One. Born in Belgium in 1997, he made his debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix at just 17 years and 166 days old, becoming the youngest driver to compete in an F1 race and the youngest driver in F1 history.

In 2016, Max Verstappen became the youngest driver to win an F1 race, driving for Red Bull Racing at the Spanish Grand Prix. He went on to win another five races, putting him in third place overall for that season. He has since become one of the most consistent drivers in F1, scoring podiums and points in almost every race he has entered.

In 2020, Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix, his first victory of the season, after finishing second in all three previous races. He also achieved his highest career finish at the British Grand Prix, finishing second behind eventual champion Lewis Hamilton.

Max Verstappen has become one of the most popular drivers in F1, with a strong fan base following him wherever he goes. His ability to perform consistently and at a high level has made him one of the top drivers in the sport today.

2. Lance Stroll

The second youngest driver in f1 history is Canadian Lance Stroll, who was just 18 years old when he made his debut in 2017. He is currently the youngest driver on the grid and driving for the Racing Point team. 

Stroll started racing at a young age, competing in karting and then moving up to single-seaters at the age of 13, competing in Formula 4 and Formula 3 before entering Formula One. In 2016 he won the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and was subsequently signed by Williams to race in F1 in 2017.

Since making his debut, Stroll has developed a reputation as a competitive racer, picking up points in the first half of the 2018 season before being moved to Racing Point mid-season. He picked up his first podium finish at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and has regularly been seen challenging for points positions. He currently holds a career-best of seventh in the drivers’ standings, achieved in 2019.

Stroll is a highly-rated driver with a bright future ahead of him in Formula One. Despite his tender age, he has already proven himself as a consistent points scorer and has gained a wealth of experience in his short time on the grid. With continued success, he could well become one of the greatest drivers of all time.

3. Lando Norris

At just 21 years of age, Lando Norris is the third youngest driver in f1 history. Hailing from Bristol, England, he began his motorsport career in karting at the age of seven and has since gone on to become one of the most promising drivers in the sport. In 2018, Norris made his debut in Formula One as a test driver for McLaren, before graduating as a full-time driver in 2019. He quickly gained attention with a series of impressive performances and has since become one of the hottest properties in the sport.

Norris had his best season in 2020, finishing fifth in the Drivers’ Championship and helping McLaren to third place in the Constructors’ Championship. His achievement was made all the more remarkable when you consider that it was only his second full season in F1. Norris’s future looks very bright, and with time on his side, he has the potential to become one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1. It remains to be seen whether he can reach these heights, but one thing is for certain – Lando Norris is an incredible talent who could very well become a Formula One great.

4. Jaime Alguersuari

Jaime Alguersuari is the fourth youngest driver to have ever competed in Formula One. Born in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 March 1990, Alguersuari made his debut for Toro Rosso at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, at just 19 years and 125 days old. Alguersuari had only just earned his racing license six weeks prior to making his F1 debut.

Alguersuari’s career in Formula One was relatively short-lived. He raced with Toro Rosso until the end of the 2011 season when he was dropped from the team. Following his departure from F1, Alguersuari joined the Pirelli World Challenge series and then moved on to become a test and development driver for Formula E.

Alguersuari achieved some impressive results during his time in Formula One. In 2011, he earned his first podium finish in Malaysia, coming in third place. That year, he also achieved his best qualifying performance, starting third in Italy. 

Alguersuari left an indelible mark on the sport of Formula One, having established himself as one of the youngest drivers ever to compete in the sport. His success as a young driver is a testament to his determination and skill, and he will remain an inspiring figure to many drivers who look to make their mark in the world of motorsports.

5. Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel is a German racing driver and four-time Formula One world champion. He is also currently one of the youngest drivers to have ever won a Formula One race, having achieved the feat in 2008 at the age of 21. Vettel began his career as a junior driver for BMW Sauber in 2007. He then joined Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2008, where he became the youngest driver to have ever won a Formula One race at the Italian Grand Prix. Vettel was then signed by Red Bull Racing in 2009, where he achieved his first two world championships in 2010 and 2011.

Vettel went on to win two more championships with Red Bull in 2012 and 2013 before switching to Ferrari in 2015. Since then, Vettel has been racing for Ferrari and is currently the oldest driver in the field. Vettel is considered one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One and is known for his aggressive driving style. 

He is one of only three drivers to have won four or more world championships, along with Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio. In 2019, Vettel was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year for his performance during the 2018 Formula One season.

Young Talents Shaping the Future of Formula One

The world of Formula One has always been a stage for extraordinary talent, and the youngest drivers to enter the sport have often brought a fresh wave of excitement and promise. From Max Verstappen’s record-breaking debut to Sebastian Vettel’s early championship successes, these young drivers have proven that age is no barrier to greatness. Their determination, skill, and fearless approach to racing have helped shape the future of Formula One, inspiring fans and aspiring racers worldwide. As the sport continues to evolve, these young stars remind us that the next F1 legend could be just around the corner. Getting behind the formula 1 cockpit at such a young age requires incredible focus and skill, traits these drivers have in abundance.

FAQs

Who is the youngest driver ever to race in Formula One?

Max Verstappen holds the record as the youngest driver to compete in an F1 race. He made his debut at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix at just 17 years and 166 days old.

Which youngest driver won an F1 race the earliest?

Max Verstappen also became the youngest race winner in Formula One history when he won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix at 18 years old.

How old was Sebastian Vettel when he won his first Grand Prix?

Sebastian Vettel won his first Grand Prix in 2008 at the Italian Grand Prix, at the age of 21, making him one of the youngest race winners in F1 history.

Who are some other notable youngest F1 drivers?

Besides Verstappen and Vettel, other notable youngest drivers include Lance Stroll, Lando Norris, and Jaime Alguersuari, all of whom debuted before turning 22.

Have any of these young drivers won multiple World Championships?

Yes. Sebastian Vettel has won four World Championships, and Max Verstappen has won multiple championships as well, cementing their status among F1’s all-time greats.