Max Verstappen is eager to prove the FIA wrong for raising the Formula One age limit to 18.

At the age of 17 Verstappen will become the youngest driver in F1 history when he makes his grand prix debut in the season-opener in Australia in March with Toro Rosso.

Verstappen, son of former driver Jos, caused a stir in August when, aged 16, it was announced he would be fast-tracked into an F1 race seat, and with no regulation to outlaw the move.

The FIA reacted by announcing in early December that from 2016 no driver under the age of 18 can compete, nor without a licence following the implementation of a new system.

Verstappen, who recently acquired a provisional road car driving licence but cannot legally drive on his own until 18, said: “It’s a new rule, so you have to deal with it.

“But luckily I can do my season, then I’m 18 and it’s fine.

“I can understand what they (the FIA) have done because they might have thought at one point there could be a 16-year-old in F1, you never know.

“For me, I can only show them this season I deserve to be here and to prove they are wrong.”

As for the fact Verstappen can drive one of the fastest cars on the planet on his own, but needs supervision to drive a road car, the young Dutch star added: “I know, it’s quite funny.

“I feel I grew up differently compared to other teenagers.

“For me it doesn’t make a difference whether you can drive on the road or not. Racing is a bit different compared to driving on the road.”