Max Verstappen will become the youngest ever Formula One driver when he races in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, and the reality of the situation hit home to reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton.

In a press conference on Thursday, Verstappen's year of birth was mentioned.

"You were born in 1997?" Hamilton asked, turning around to look at the Dutch teenager.

"Yeah," replied the Toro Rosso driver.

Hamilton, 30, said: "Geez. I signed my first contract with McLaren in 1997. Bloody hell."

Max, the son of Jos, who made 106 F1 starts, is unfazed by the record.

Unable to drive alone in his native Netherlands, Verstappen will be in the Toro Rosso seat going over 200km/h in Melbourne come the weekend.

Such was the surprise of Verstappen being given a seat, the FIA reviewed their super licence criteria.

Drivers must now be at least 18 years of age, spent at least two years in junior categories and accumulated points over a three-year period.

It means nothing to Verstappen, who will have the world's eyes on him and has already been touted as a future drivers' championship winner.

He may have to wait a few years, but he is set to break a record at the incredibly tender age of 17.