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    Max Verstappen: Dutch teenager makes F1 history

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    Updated 1113 GMT (1913 HKT) October 3, 2014

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    Max Verstappen made history during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix by becoming the youngest driver to participate in any part of a Formula One race weekend.
    Photos: The 17-year-old F1 driver
    The 17-year-old F1 driver – Max Verstappen made history during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix by becoming the youngest driver to participate in any part of a Formula One race weekend.
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    The 17-year-old drove for the Toro Rosso team during Friday practice at the Suzuka Circuit, despite being too young to hold a driver's license in his native Netherlands.
    Photos: The 17-year-old F1 driver
    The 17-year-old F1 driver – The 17-year-old drove for the Toro Rosso team during Friday practice at the Suzuka Circuit, despite being too young to hold a driver's license in his native Netherlands.
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    Max's father Jos Verstappen raced in F1 between 1994 and 2003, including spells with teams such as Benetton, Arrows and Minardi.
    Photos: The 17-year-old F1 driver
    The 17-year-old F1 driver – Max's father Jos Verstappen raced in F1 between 1994 and 2003, including spells with teams such as Benetton, Arrows and Minardi.
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    The teenager competed 22 laps before engine failure curtailed his debut F1 drive. His fastest lap of one minute and 38.157 seconds was only 0.443 seconds slower than Toro Rosso's rookie driver Daniel Kvyat
    Photos: The 17-year-old F1 driver
    The 17-year-old F1 driver – The teenager competed 22 laps before engine failure curtailed his debut F1 drive. His fastest lap of one minute and 38.157 seconds was only 0.443 seconds slower than Toro Rosso's rookie driver Daniel Kvyat
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    After his historic drive, every reporter wanted a piece of motorsport's teen sensation.
    Photos: The 17-year-old F1 driver
    The 17-year-old F1 driver – After his historic drive, every reporter wanted a piece of motorsport's teen sensation.
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    Story highlights

    • Max Verstappen becomes youngest driver to participate in F1
    • The 17-year-old drove for Toro Rosso in practice ahead of the Japanese GP
    • The legal driving age in his native Netherlands is 18
    • Verstappen is the son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen
    Seventeen-year-olds in the Netherlands can't hold a driving license, let alone hurtle around a track at 200 miles per hour.
    But that hasn't stopped Dutch teenager Max Verstappen climbing behind the wheel of a Formula One car to make history Friday during practice for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix and become the youngest driver to participate in the sport.
    Not bad considering the legal driving age in his native Netherlands is 18.
    At that age, most are preoccupied by schoolwork and teenage angst. But there's no stopping Verstappen.
    Next season, Verstappen will be a full-time racer for Toro Rosso, which has historically been a stepping stone towards a drive with the hugely successful Red Bull Racing team.
    "Today for me it was all about getting experience in the car, especially on a difficult track like Suzuka," Verstappen told the sport's official website. "I was impressed with the engine power."
    It's been a nail biting rollercoaster ride but Lewis Hamilton edges out his Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg to win the 2014 Formula One World Championship.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    It's been a nail biting rollercoaster ride but Lewis Hamilton edges out his Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg to win the 2014 Formula One World Championship.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – It's been a nail biting rollercoaster ride but Lewis Hamilton edges out his Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg to win the 2014 Formula One World Championship.
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    Round one: Nico Rosberg rules in Australia. His Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton had started the race from pole position but retired because of an engine problem.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round one: Nico Rosberg rules in Australia. His Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton had started the race from pole position but retired because of an engine problem.
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    Round two: Hamilton was quick to make amends, controlling the Malaysian Grand Prix as he led from start to finish with Rosberg taking second place.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round two: Hamilton was quick to make amends, controlling the Malaysian Grand Prix as he led from start to finish with Rosberg taking second place.
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    Round three: Hamilton gets the better of Rosberg in Bahrain. The German had started on pole but Hamilton took the lead at the first corner.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round three: Hamilton gets the better of Rosberg in Bahrain. The German had started on pole but Hamilton took the lead at the first corner.
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    Round four: It's three in a row for Hamilton in Shanghai. Victory at the Chinese Grand Prix sees the Briton win three straight races for the first time in his career.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round four: It's three in a row for Hamilton in Shanghai. Victory at the Chinese Grand Prix sees the Briton win three straight races for the first time in his career.
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    Round five: Hamilton rains on Rosberg's parade in Spain as he wins to take the lead in the world championship standings for the first time.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round five: Hamilton rains on Rosberg's parade in Spain as he wins to take the lead in the world championship standings for the first time.
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    Round six: Monaco mayhem saw Rosberg survive an investigation into claims he had impeded Hamilton in qualifying. He went on to win the race and regain the championship lead.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round six: Monaco mayhem saw Rosberg survive an investigation into claims he had impeded Hamilton in qualifying. He went on to win the race and regain the championship lead.
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    Round seven: Oh Canada! There are reliability problems for Hamilton as brake failure puts him out of the Canadian race. Rosberg finishes second.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round seven: Oh Canada! There are reliability problems for Hamilton as brake failure puts him out of the Canadian race. Rosberg finishes second.
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    Round eight: Rosberg gets back on track in Austria where another victory saw the German stretch his championship lead over Hamilton.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round eight: Rosberg gets back on track in Austria where another victory saw the German stretch his championship lead over Hamilton.
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    Round nine: There's some home help for Hamilton as he wins the British Grand Prix while Rosberg retired with a gearbox problem.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round nine: There's some home help for Hamilton as he wins the British Grand Prix while Rosberg retired with a gearbox problem.
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    Round 10: Hamilton hangs tough in Hungary, choosing to ignore advice from his team to allow Rosberg to pass. The Briton finished the race in third, with his Mercedes teammate in fourth.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 10: Hamilton hangs tough in Hungary, choosing to ignore advice from his team to allow Rosberg to pass. The Briton finished the race in third, with his Mercedes teammate in fourth.
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    Round 11: In Germany, Rosberg led from the start to the checkered flag to win his home grand prix at Hockenheim, with Hamilton finishing in third.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 11: In Germany, Rosberg led from the start to the checkered flag to win his home grand prix at Hockenheim, with Hamilton finishing in third.
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    Round 12: Sparks fly at Spa as Rosberg and Hamilton collide during the Belgian Grand Prix. The incident, which forced Hamilton to retire, is a major flashpoint in an increasingly strained season for the former teenage friends. Rosberg finished the race in second.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 12: Sparks fly at Spa as Rosberg and Hamilton collide during the Belgian Grand Prix. The incident, which forced Hamilton to retire, is a major flashpoint in an increasingly strained season for the former teenage friends. Rosberg finished the race in second.
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    Round 13: At the next race in Italy, Hamilton takes a crucial win when Rosberg makes a mistake when leading the race and runs wide down the escape road.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 13: At the next race in Italy, Hamilton takes a crucial win when Rosberg makes a mistake when leading the race and runs wide down the escape road.
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    Round 14: Rosberg joins Hamilton and his family for the celebrations in Singapore but another win for the Briton means Rosberg loses his championship lead.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 14: Rosberg joins Hamilton and his family for the celebrations in Singapore but another win for the Briton means Rosberg loses his championship lead.
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    Round 15: Hamilton beats Rosberg again in Japan but the celebrations are muted on the podium following a serious crash involving Marussia driver Jules Bianchi.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 15: Hamilton beats Rosberg again in Japan but the celebrations are muted on the podium following a serious crash involving Marussia driver Jules Bianchi.
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    Round 16: Hamilton's hot streak continues in Sochi where he wins the inaugural Russian Grand Prix to help Mercedes wrap up the team championship.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 16: Hamilton's hot streak continues in Sochi where he wins the inaugural Russian Grand Prix to help Mercedes wrap up the team championship.
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    Round 17: Hamilton fans have plenty to cheer about at the U.S. Grand Prix as the 2008 world champion wins his 10th race of the season and fifth in a row.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 17: Hamilton fans have plenty to cheer about at the U.S. Grand Prix as the 2008 world champion wins his 10th race of the season and fifth in a row.
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    Round 18: Rosberg is on song in Sao Paulo, winning the Brazilian Grand Prix to close the gap on Hamilton to 17 points in the title chase with one race to go.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 18: Rosberg is on song in Sao Paulo, winning the Brazilian Grand Prix to close the gap on Hamilton to 17 points in the title chase with one race to go.
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    Round 19: Hamilton passes Rosberg at the start of the final race in Abu Dhabi and there is more misery for the German when his engine loses power. The Briton takes the win and with it a second world title.
    Photos: Nico Rosberg vs. Lewis Hamilton
    How Hamilton beat Rosberg – Round 19: Hamilton passes Rosberg at the start of the final race in Abu Dhabi and there is more misery for the German when his engine loses power. The Briton takes the win and with it a second world title.
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    Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. He is now leaving hospital and will continue his recovery from home. Here we look back at some highlights of his career.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. He is now leaving hospital and will continue his recovery from home. Here we look back at some highlights of his career.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. He is now leaving hospital and will continue his recovery from home. Here we look back at some highlights of his career.
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    Schumacher made his F1 debut in 1991. Shortly after making his bow, the German posed for this photograph at the go-kart circuit in his hometown of Kerpen where he began his racing career.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – Schumacher made his F1 debut in 1991. Shortly after making his bow, the German posed for this photograph at the go-kart circuit in his hometown of Kerpen where he began his racing career.
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    Schumacher won his first world title with Benetton in 1994 -- he went on to repeat the feat the following season.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – Schumacher won his first world title with Benetton in 1994 -- he went on to repeat the feat the following season.
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    As a growing global celebrity, the German's fame took him away from the race track. Here he meets Pope John Paul II in 1999.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – As a growing global celebrity, the German's fame took him away from the race track. Here he meets Pope John Paul II in 1999.
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    A move to Ferrari in 1996 was to bring more success for Schumacher, seen here meeting King Juan Carlos of Spain in 2001.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – A move to Ferrari in 1996 was to bring more success for Schumacher, seen here meeting King Juan Carlos of Spain in 2001.
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    Schumacher won five world titles with Ferrari. The last of them -- his seventh overall -- came in 2005. His collection of world titles remains unbeaten in the sport's history.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – Schumacher won five world titles with Ferrari. The last of them -- his seventh overall -- came in 2005. His collection of world titles remains unbeaten in the sport's history.
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    Schumacher celebrated plenty of good times with the Italian scarlet racers and Ferrari continue to support his recovery with a #ForzaMichael digital campaign.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – Schumacher celebrated plenty of good times with the Italian scarlet racers and Ferrari continue to support his recovery with a #ForzaMichael digital campaign.
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    After retiring at the end of the 2006 season, Schumacher delighted his fans by making a surprise return to F1 in 2010. He was back to race for Mercedes at the age of 41.
    Photos: Schumacher leaves hospital
    Schumacher leaves hospital – After retiring at the end of the 2006 season, Schumacher delighted his fans by making a surprise return to F1 in 2010. He was back to race for Mercedes at the age of 41.
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