Tost: Verstappen answered critics

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Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost believes the "stupid people" who felt Max Verstappen was too young for Formula 1 have been silenced by the Dutchman's displays on the track.

The Faenza-based squad's decision to hand a race seat to the 17-year-old raised a lot of eyebrows with many feeling that he was too young.

The teenager became Formula 1's youngest ever driver when he stepped into the cockpit of the STR at the season-opening Australian GP, but he retired due to a mechanical problem. In Malaysia he became the youngest points scorer when he finished seventh.

"I said this in October and November when all the people criticised: he will answer them on the racetrack because the answer on the racetrack means stupid people can understand," Tost told Autosport.

Verstappen's team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr also made his debut in Australia and Tost says the duo are wise beyond their years and have an excellent work ethic.

"I'm more than happy with both of the drivers," he said. "Both of them have done a fantastic job without any mistakes.

"They are open-minded and they want to learn until late at night.

"They want to see what is going on, what's being changed on the car and this understanding helps them perform well.

"They are also very high-skilled drivers."