F1 driver Max Verstappen is finally able to legally drive a vehicle

His successes that year were not enough to keep him in Formula One, however, and he would go on to be replaced at Toro Rosso by the now-successful Daniel Ricciardo.

Max Verstappen scored points in Japan last weekend with ninth place at Suzuka from 17th on the starting grid.

The Dutchman who also has Belgian nationality turned 18 today and passed his test on his first attempt before tweeting to share his excitemement with the world.

“Legal to drive, born to race #driverlicense”, Verstappen tweeted, along with a photograph of himself grinning behind the wheel. “That I’m finally allowed on the road on my own gives me more independence, which is great!”

Jaime Alguersuari, who was once the youngest Formula One driver, announced his retirement from motor racing at the age of 25 on Thursday to follow a career in music.

It’s probably little wonder, then, that Verstappen spent less than five hours with an instructor and only had his first lesson on Monday. I’ve always said it’s important to follow your instincts: I love music and racing doesn’t interfere with that. His best result of that group came in Hungary, where he finished fourth, less than 20 seconds away from standing on the podium.

Already there has been speculation about where he might end up and how soon.