Dutch Formula 1 racing driver Max Verstappen is moving over to Red Bull’s first team for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old has been signed to Red Bull since 2015 but has driven for junior team Toro Rosso since making his debut.

Verstappen replaces Daniil Kvyat, who has been dropped down to Torro Rosso after two crashes at the Russia Grand Prix.

Last year teenager Verstappen became the youngest driver in the history of F1 at the age of 17. At the time, he did not have a driving licence for the Dutch roads.

Verstappen’s first outing in the RB12 will be at the Spanish Grand Prix next week.

‘The next step in my relatively short career so far, is an amazing opportunity,’ Verstappen said on his website. ‘I really want to thank Red Bull Racing and Helmut Marko for the confidence they have in me. I’ll have the chance to learn a lot from the top team that is Red Bull Racing.’

BBC F1 writer Andrew Bensen said: ‘It is a typically ruthless decision from Red Bull, who use Toro Rosso to test out young drivers and then either promote them within two years or dump them.’