Verstappen son to make European F3 debut

Teenager Max Verstappen, son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, is to make his European car racing debut in 2014 after being signed to drive in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.

Verstappen makes the substantial leap to the FIA-sanctioned series after an eye-catching turn in the karting ranks last season, the 16-year-old picking up a series of significant international victories.

The Dutchman will now make his full car racing debut with Van Amersfoot Racing this season, following directly in the footsteps of his father Jos, who drove for the team when he clinched the 1992 Formula Opel Lotus Benelux Championship.

"There is definitely an advantage to being part of a Dutch team during my first full single seater season," Max said. "Furthermore, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season with Van Amersfoort Racing, especially as we are competing on all those iconic European racing tracks!"

Jos, who started 106 F1 races between 1994 and 2003, is confident that Max will have what it takes to shine in the Volkswagen-engined Dallara chassis, despite his tender years relative to his rivals.

"The F3 European Championship is a very competitive category with a competitive car and we want to do the best we can. However, it will be a year in which Max must learn from the small mistakes he'll inevitably make as a rookie. Regardless, this is the perfect step for Max venturing into single seater racing, as Van Amersfoort Racing is a fantastic and professional team."

Verstappen Jnr's progression comes as the man he replaced at Stewart F1 in 1998, Jan Magnussen, oversees his son Kevin make his F1 debut in 2014.