Arvid Lindblad is set to grab headlines in 2026 when he lines up on the grid in Australia at just 18 years and seven months old. That will make him the fourth-youngest driver ever to start a Formula 1 race.
But who are the youngest drivers in the sport’s history? And what happened after their big debut weekends?
Take a look at the top 10 youngest drivers to race in Formula 1.
1. Max Verstappen (17 years, 5 months, 13 days)
Debut: Australia, 2015
Max Verstappen remains the youngest driver ever to start a Formula 1 race. At just 17, he made his debut with Toro Rosso after only one season in single-seaters.
A few races into 2016, he was promoted to Red Bull and won on his debut for the team in Spain. That was just the beginning. Verstappen has since become a four-time World Champion and one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history.
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2. Lance Stroll ( 18 years, 4 months, 25 days)
Debut: Australia, 2017
In 2015, Lance Stroll became an F1 driver for Williams after winning the European F3 title; however, there were a lot of questions about whether he would be deserving of such an F1 seat, as his father, Lawrence Stroll, had been one of those who provided support towards the chance that Lance would be able to compete.
He has answered some of his critics by having earned a podium finish in Azerbaijan and having performed admirably in the wet at Monza. Stroll transitioned from Williams to the new owner of Force India (now Aston Martin) when his father helped to lead the takeover of that team. He continues to drive for Aston Martin in F1.
3. Kimi Antonelli (18 years, 6 months, 19 days)
Debut: Australia, 2025
Kimi Antonelli impressed many in his long journey to F1 with Mercedes, as he went from F4 to F1 in just a few short years.
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In Kimi’s first race at the Australian Grand Prix, he started in 16th position on the grid and climbed his way to a 4th-place finish while battling extremely difficult track conditions during the race.
He had several ups and downs throughout the rest of Kimi’s rookie season, but he showed that he was talented enough to have earned the faith that Mercedes had placed in him with his multiple podiums and his Sprint pole that season.
4. Oliver Bearman ( 18 years, 10 months, 1 day)
Debut: Saudi Arabia, 2024
Oliver Bearman’s debut in F1 occurred very dramatically. He was called up to replace the injured Carlos Sainz at Ferrari just a few days before the race in Saudi Arabia, with extremely limited preparation time.
Oliver qualified in 11th position on the grid that day but finished in 7th place during the race. In the same season, he received a call from Haas as a substitute driver and, over time, will secure a full-time ride within the next few seasons.
5. Jaime Alguersuari (19 years, 4 months, 3 days)
Debut: Hungary, 2009
In August of 2009, Jaime Alguersuari debuted in Formula 1 driving for Toro Rosso. He was still engaged in Formula Renault 3.5 while juggling both commitments at that time.
Jaime Alguersuari spent two full seasons with Toro Rosso, scoring over 30 points and was released following the 2011 season and never returned to F1.
After leaving Formula 1, Alguersuari participated in Formula E and GT races before retiring from motorsport to pursue a career as a DJ under the name ‘Squire’.
6. Lando Norris (19 years, 4 months, 4 days)
Debut: Australia, 2019
Lando Norris became the second youngest driver to make his debut in Formula 1 when he raced for McLaren in Australia in March of 2019. Norris had made an impression on McLaren after rising through the junior ranks and having served as both a reserve and test driver for them before becoming a full-time driver.
Norris was able to score points during his rookie season and to achieve his first podium in 2020. As McLaren was improving, Lando Norris was also continuing to improve and by 2024 had achieved his first win in Miami. By 2025, he would go on to win his first Drivers’ Championship title, completing a remarkable ascent to the top.
7. Mike Thackwell (19 years, 5 months, 29 days)
Debut: Canada, 1980
In 1980, New Zealander Mike Thackwell made his debut in F1 at the Canadian Grand Prix, driving for Tyrrell and was momentarily the youngest driver to start a grand prix; he attempted to qualify for a race with Arrows earlier that same year but was unsuccessful.
Thackwell would go on to make just one more appearance in a Grand Prix in 1984; however, he found success in other forms of motorsport, having won the 1983 British Formula 3 Championship.
8. Ricardo Rodriguez (19 years, 6 months, 27 days)
Debut: Italy, 1961
Ricardo Rodriguez was one of the brightest young talents of his time. The Mexican driver qualified second for Ferrari at Monza in 1961, an incredible achievement for someone so young.
Tragically, his career was cut short. He died in a crash in 1962 while practising for a race in Mexico. His brother Pedro, also a racing driver, later lost his life in competition. Today, Mexico City’s circuit is named the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez in their honour.
9. Fernando Alonso (19 years, 7 months, 3 days)
Debut: Australia, 2001
Fernando Alonso began his Formula 1 journey with Minardi as well, but it was clear early on that he had something special. Even in an uncompetitive car, the Spaniard showed flashes of speed and confidence.
He moved to Renault as a reserve driver in 2002, returned to a race seat in 2003 and didn’t look back. By 2005 and 2006, he was a two-time World Champion. Since then, Alonso has raced for McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine and Aston Martin. Now in his forties, he is still chasing that third world title.
10. Esteban Tuero (19 years, 10 months, 14 days)
Debut: Australia, 1998
Esteban Tuero’s arrival in Formula 1 raised a few eyebrows. The Argentine joined Minardi in 1998 despite not meeting all of the FIA’s Super Licence rules at the time. The governing body eventually gave him the green light, but his rookie season was tough.
Minardi were at the back of the grid, and Tuero managed to finish only four of the 16 races. After one season, which included a home Grand Prix in Argentina, he stepped away from Formula 1 altogether.
Formula 1 has always been a sport where youth and talent can fast-track a career. Some of these drivers became world champions. Others had shorter journeys. A few left the sport entirely.
