Teenage sensation Max Verstappen will make his F1 race weekend debut on Friday in Japan, just days after his 17th birthday.

Having now been granted the necessary Superlicence by the FIA, Verstappen will participate in FP1, taking the wheel of Jean-Eric Vergne's STR9.

"I am very much looking forward to taking part in a Free Practice session at a Grand Prix for the first time," said Verstappen. "It is good preparation for next year, even if it's not something I could have imagined a few months ago.

"To already be participating in a practice session is of course a dream come true," he continued. "I have actually been to Suzuka before, to take part in a go-kart race on the track that is located next to the main circuit's back straight.

"My dad has raced at Suzuka many times and he told me it's not an easy track to start on. For me it will be a very valuable experience, spending some time in the car and also getting used to working with everyone in the team, to prepare myself for next year. I am not going there to break any records, I just want to gain experience.

"I have spent one day driving this track on the simulator, which helps a bit, but it's no substitute for driving it for real. My first impression is that it's not an easy track and for example it looks hard to get the combination right in the first esses. I have one and a half hours to drive there and I'm looking forward to doing a good job, for myself and for the team."

Verstappen will take to the track three days after his 17th birthday, thereby breaking the record, in terms of the youngest driver to take part in an F1 practice session, which was previously held by Sebastian Vettel who debuted with BMW in Turkey in 2006, aged 19 years and 53 days.

Chris Balfe

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Stitch431, 29/09/2014 17:49

"@ Paul C, I believe more than you will ever be ;-)"

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2. Posted by Paul C, 29/09/2014 15:10

"Okay, I am in error here. Still, is he really ready for F1?"

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3. Posted by f1khun, 29/09/2014 14:05

"@Paul C
Very immature. Really - this is your response to somebody whom has a track record that nobody else in the history of karts had before him? En then 7 F3 wins in season 1 to top it up? This guy does do magic, even though he'll have to prove himself fully again in F1. But this has nothing to do with your PS3. please, go play..."

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4. Posted by Paul C, 29/09/2014 13:41

"Gee, if I had a simulated F1 seat and controls connected to my PS3, I could practice like an F1 driver too. I've certainly done more Play Station laps of F1 circuits than Max. Where's my Cracker Jack box with an FIA Superlicense?"

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Verstappen to make debut at Suzuka

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