Max Verstappen broke the record in Formula One this season when he became the youngest driver to compete in the series at the age of 17 years and 166 days when he got behind the wheel at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
But the Dutchman will not be keen to follow in the footsteps of the man who he took the milestone from after Jaime Alguerusari announced his retirement from all forms of motorsport on Thursday at the age of 25.
Alguersuari told a news conference on Thursday that he believed he “had fallen out of love” with motorsport as he planned to concentrate on a music career.
Alguerusari had been 19 years and 125 days when he competed for Toro Rosso in the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009, and he would race in 46 races for the team, scoring 31 points, before he was dropped at the end of the 2011 season.
The Spaniard remained involved with F1 for the next two years as a test driver for Pirelli, before he took part in the inaugural 2014/15 Formula E championship.
But, after fainting following a race in Moscow in June, he withdrew from the final races in London on health grounds.
“I decided to stop because it’s time for change,” Alguersuari said.
“Something inside me says it’s the moment to take a different path because I think I have fallen out of love with this girlfriend who has been with me all these years.”
Alguersuari, who was once part of Red Bull’s young driver programme, which gave him the chance with Toro Rosso after he won the 2008 British Formula 3 championship, said health was not a factor in his change of career path.
“I could continue competing but I’m stopping,” said Alguersuari who has long spent his spare time working as a DJ and composing music, adding that he had no concerns about his health.
“I could stay just for the money but I need a change. What makes me happy is music, I am going to make music.”
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