Take cover: Young Formula One driver can now drive on the roads

The Toro Rosso driver had said over the Japanese Grand Prix weekend that he did not know when he would be able to take the test due to his busy schedule.

But the Dutchman Max Verstappen was not allowed to drive a vehicle legally on his own in the Netherlands. Alguersuari completed the 2009 season with Toro Rosso and stayed for two full seasons before being dropped by the team and from Red Bull’s driver programme at the end of 2011.

The Dutch youngster turned 18 years old on Wednesday and passed his driving test – unsurprisingly perhaps – at the first attempt.

No teenager has ever led a race or set a fastest lap and no driver under 21 has ever started on pole position, stood on the podium – though Verstappen came close with fourth in Hungary – or won a grand prix.

The 25-year-old were grappling in Formula E having the Virgin squad but was in fact required to leave prior to end of this very spell after passing out after Moscow ePrix in June.

“I chose to stop because it’s time for change”, he said at a press conference in Madrid.

“I’ve abandoned my appreciation this…”

Despite his success, Verstappen insisted he still preferred to be a passenger on public roads: “It’s a moment of peace and I still think that way”, he said. I still need to find the date to do it, especially now with a lot of overseas races.