Max Verstappen smashed the existing record to become Formula One’s youngest points-scorer on Sunday — but champagne was off-limits for the 17-year-old who is below Malaysia’s legal drinking age.
Eyebrows were raised last year when Toro Rosso signed Verstappen, then just 16 and unable to drive in his native Netherlands.
But Verstappen, who became F1’s youngest driver earlier this month in Australia, has quashed any doubts about his capability after just two races.
The youngster was on course for ninth place at the season-opener in Melbourne, before a mechanical failure brought a heartbreaking end to his debut drive.
But he hit back by qualifying sixth in Malaysia, equalling the career high of his father, Jos. He finished the race seventh, becoming F1’s youngest points-scorer by a distance.
Verstappen, aged 17 years and 180 days, is more than two years younger than Daniil Kvyat was when the Russian set the previous record last year in Australia.
“I really enjoyed that! I’m very happy to have scored my first-ever points in F1 and to end seventh,” Verstappen said afterwards.
“I felt well physically, it was quite hot at the end but I was still able to cope with it and be consistent, so I’m happy with that,” he added.
“This is a big boost for the team, we couldn’t have done a better job today.”
While race-winner Sebastian Vettel quaffed bubbly and planned a boozy night with his Ferrari team, Malaysia’s drinking age of 18 will mute Verstappen’s celebrations.
But there will be more opportunities for the Toro Rosso prodigy, with big things now expected in his future — both before and after his 18th birthday in September.