Oliver Bearman recently joined an exclusive group of drivers who’ve started a Formula 1 race before turning 20. The 18-year-old made headlines when he stepped in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari during the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Sainz withdrew due to appendicitis. Bearman became the 13th teenager in F1 history to start a grand prix. Here’s a closer look at all the teenage trailblazers who’ve lined up on the F1 grid.
Max Verstappen – 17 years, 165 days
Debut: 2015 Australian Grand Prix | Starts: 187 | Wins: 56
Verstappen remains the youngest driver to ever start a Formula 1 race, debuting at just 17. His signing by Toro Rosso was so unprecedented that it prompted a rule change requiring future F1 drivers to be at least 18 and to have spent two years in junior categories. Despite retiring from his first race due to engine issues, Verstappen’s debut season showcased his immense potential. He outperformed teammate Carlos Sainz and earned a promotion to Red Bull in 2016—launching what would become a dominant career.
Lance Stroll – 18 years, 148 days
Debut: 2017 Australian Grand Prix | Starts: 145 | Wins: 0
Stroll entered F1 amid controversy, largely due to financial backing that secured his seat at Williams. However, his junior record was impressive—he won both the Italian F4 and the FIA F3 European titles. His debut season began with three retirements, but things turned around when he scored points in Montreal and stunned the paddock with a podium in Baku. At 18 years and 238 days, he became the second-youngest driver to reach the podium, just 11 days older than Verstappen at the time of his first top-three finish.
Oliver Bearman – 18 years, 304 days
Debut: 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Starts: 1 | Wins: 0
Bearman’s F1 debut came with barely any notice—he was called up just hours before final practice. Despite limited prep time, the Ferrari junior impressed by qualifying 11th, narrowly missing out on Q3, and finishing seventh in the race. It was a standout performance considering he was also competing in Formula 2 that weekend and had initially taken pole for the F2 feature race before being pulled out.
Lando Norris – 19 years, 123 days
Debut: 2019 Australian Grand Prix | Starts: 106 | Wins: 0
Norris was groomed for F1 through McLaren’s junior program and became their reserve driver in 2017. Even before finishing his F2 season in 2018, McLaren announced he would join the team’s 2019 lineup alongside Carlos Sainz. His debut in Australia saw him reach Q3, but he finished outside the points. However, he quickly found his rhythm, earning points in the following races and securing a contract extension thanks to his strong rookie season.
Jaime Alguersuari – 19 years, 124 days
Debut: 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix | Starts: 46 | Wins: 0
Before Verstappen, Alguersuari held the record for the youngest F1 driver. He made his debut with Toro Rosso in mid-2009, replacing Sebastien Bourdais. The leap from Formula Renault to Formula 1 proved tough, and Alguersuari struggled in his rookie year, failing to score any points and retiring from five of his seven races. He eventually scored his first points in 2010 but was dropped by Toro Rosso at the end of 2011. He retired from racing in his mid-20s and later pursued a career in music as a DJ in Spain.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the emergence of young talent remains one of its most exciting aspects. These teenage drivers have each brought their unique stories to the grid—some found instant success, while others faced challenges adapting to the highest level of motorsport. What unites them all is the ambition and skill it takes to compete among the world’s best before even turning 20.
