Max Verstappen tests F1 car to gain super licence

The Dutch teenager will become F1's youngest ever driver when he drives for Red Bull's sister team next term at the age of 17.

And he completed 148 laps of Italy's 2.7-kilometre Adria circuit in order to rack up enough mileage to earn a super licence.

Many have criticised the decision to throw Verstappen - who is not old enough to drive a road car in his native Netherlands - into the sport at such a tender age, but he remains confident in his abilities.

Verstappen said: "I was looking forward to my first drive in a Formula One car on a proper race track and I really enjoyed it.

"It was a good opportunity to work with Xevi [Pujolar], who will be my race engineer next year, as well as having a chance to get used to all the buttons on the steering wheel.

"I think it went well and I can"t wait to get back into a Formula 1 car as soon as possible.