What did Max Verstappen get first – his driver’s license or the F1 Super Licence?

By Sylvester Simmonds 16 January, 2022 3 mins read 455 Views

There is no denying that Max Verstappen is a “once in a generation driver”. His exploits in the 2021 F1 season have garnered him a worldwide following as he became the first Dutch driver to become F1 World Champion at just 24 years old. Verstappen took the wheel of an F1 car for the first time at just 17, which was a world record.

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His debut for Toro Rosso drew a lot of criticism as many thought Verstappen’s inexperience would cost the team dearly. However, with Red Bull being the team they are, she took the risk. Helmut Marko had once again found what he was looking for. Interestingly, the Dutchman has never competed in the top feeder series GP2; Instead, he was promoted straight to F1.

An early chance to control the top flight was not easy for Verstappen. His age also played a role at the time. The FIA was unwilling to allow a driver under the age of 18 into F1, but there was no hard and fast rule up to that point. He was expected to drive at least two seasons in F2 before being promoted to F1. Reports even suggest that Mercedes has also offered him a seat, but after a year or two in F2.

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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JULY 7: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands drives the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during practice for the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on July 7, 2017 Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Marko promoted Max Verstappen to F1 before getting a driver’s license

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The FIA even raised the minimum age for admitting an F1 debutant to 18, a move Marko recently called “absurd”. At 17, Max Verstappen wasn’t even old enough to drive road cars, let alone a super license, which is mandatory for driving in F1. The FIA introduced a new set of rules in 2016, but it was after Max Verstappen made his debut.

Had Verstappen played by those rules, he would have failed both the age and experience criteria in 2015. Interestingly, Max said in an interview that he didn’t take his theory test until he was 17 and was already an F1 driver. Two months later he took and passed the driving test as one would expect from a top tier F1 driver.

What did Max Verstappen get first – his driver’s license or the F1 Super Licence?
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 10: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Red Bull Racing talk to Red Bull Racing Team Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko in the paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at the Autodromo di Monza on September 10, 2021 in Monza. Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Max Verstappen was rightfully given a super license ahead of his F1 debut because new rules didn’t apply to him. He debuted with Toro Rosso at the 2015 Australian GP and took his maiden win at the 2016 Spanish GP. Team boss Christian Horner and Marko promoted him to Red Bull in 2016 and the rest is history.