Verstappen secures best qualification by a teenager in over 50 years

ByReuters

Updated 28/03/2015 at 13:37 GMT

Toro Rosso's 17-year-old driver Max Verstappen will start from sixth on the grid at the Malaysian Grand Prix - the best qualifying performance by a teenager in 54 years.

Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) - GP of Japan 2015

Image credit: Panoramic

Verstappen negotiated the wet conditions superbly and will start alongside Russia's Daniil Kvyat on the third row of the grid.

Verstappen's qualifying was the best by a teenager since 19-year-old Mexican Ricardo Rodriguez started on the front row for Ferrari at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix.

It also equalled the career highest grid position of his proud father Jos, at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix -- also in wet conditions.

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What makes the feat even more impressive is that the Sepang International Circuit is reknowned for being one of the toughest in the rain.

Dutchman Verstappen doesn't yet own a full driver's license and can only drive in his homeland if he's accompanied by a driving license holder.

Mercdes' Lewis Hamilton secured his second pole position of the season, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Nico Rosberg qualified in third.

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