SUZUKA, Japan // Sebastian Vettel lost another Formula One record to the PlayStation generation yesterday when Max Verstappen became the youngest driver to take part in a grand prix weekend, only days after his 17th birthday.
It was certainly not child’s play for the Dutch youngster, who was 12th fastest in the opening Japanese Grand Prix practice session, but he recognised his task had been made easier by honing his skills in the virtual world.
Verstappen, who next year will become the sport’s youngest race driver when he debuts for Toro Rosso, replaced Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne for the opening 90 minutes at Suzuka.
In doing so, he replaced in the record books Red Bull’s Vettel, the previous youngest, after making his weekend debut in 2006 at 19 years and 53 days.
It was the second record the German four times world champion has relinquished this season, with Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat becoming the youngest points scorer, at the age of 19, in Melbourne in March.
Verstappen, son of former F1 racer Jos, took it all in his stride.
Asked whether he had found it hard to cope with the workload imposed on the current crop of F1 drivers, who must operate a complex array of buttons and knobs on the steering wheel, he smiled.
“No, not really,” said the Dutchman, who is still too young to drive unaccompanied on public roads.
“All the different buttons and knobs, I think because the younger generation, you grow up with it, with all that kind of stuff and you play many times on the PlayStation, and then you can see also the buttons – they are all there – so you already, like, have a first feel for it.”
A year ago, Verstappen was still racing go-karts.
He is in his first season of car racing and challenging for the European Formula 3 title.
He will replace Vergne at Toro Rosso next year.
He acquitted himself well on Friday, tackling the challenging sweeps and high-speed corners of the 5.8-kilometre Suzuka circuit to end just four-tenths of a second shy of Kvyat.
Verstappen’s arrival has led to criticism that modern F1 cars, packed with all manner of electronic wizardry, have become too easy to drive.
The teenager dismissed the idea.
“I think an F1 car is never easy to drive,” he said. “At least not for me.”
sports@thenational.ae
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ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
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May 9, v Malaysia
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May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
The burning issue
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By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
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- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Tomorrow 2021
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
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Favourite colour: Orange
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Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: six-litre W12 twin-turbo
Transmission: eight-speed dual clutch auto
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh940,160 (plus VAT)
On sale: Q1 2020
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
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