- Red Bull
Max Verstappen joins Red Bull Junior Team
Max Verstappen - the son of ex-F1 driver Jos - has joined the Red Bull Junior Team.
Sixteen-year-old Verstappen is highly rated and is currently second in his first season in the Formula 3 European Championship. In recent weeks he was also linked to the Mercedes F1 team driver programme, but on Tuesday it was announced he had signed for Red Bull.
"We are very pleased to announce that Max Verstappen has accepted our invitation to join the Red Bull Junior Team," a statement read. "This is effective immediately and the 16-year-old Dutchman will continue his FIA Formula 3 European Championship campaign at the Nürburgring this weekend as a Red Bull Junior in the Van Amersfoort Racing team and additionally will compete at the Macau Grand Prix in November."
Verstappen won six rounds of the Formula 3 European Championship in a row earlier this year when he took victory at all three races at both Spa-Francorchamps and Norisring. It has been rumoured that Verstappen could make the jump to F1 as soon as next season, but progression through Formula Renault 3.5 is more likely.
He joins the Red Bull Junior Team alongside Formula Renault 3.5 championship leader Carlos Sainz Jr, GP3 Series leader Alex Lynn and Pierre Gasly, who is currently third in the Formula 3.5 championship.
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