With a racing driver brother and team owner father, Max Chilton was always likely to take up the steering wheel. He made his debut in F1 in 2013, driving for the Marussia team, and secured the record for finishing every race in his rookie season. For 2014, the team retained his services alongside Jules Bianchi, but Chilton found himself unable to finish the season after Marussia went into administration.

F1 biography

Max Chilton made the traditional debut in motorsports, starting out in karts and moving up through the various karting categories until he stepped up to single seaters. In 2007, Chilton joined the British Formula Three series, although he had to acquire special permission to participate in the first race of the season as it was the day before his 16th birthday – and 16 was the age requirement for taking part.

In his first year, his best result was eleventh, but switching teams in 2008 saw him start taking pole positions and podium finishes. A third team in 2009 saw him start winning, with two victories in his final season in the sport. For the following year, he moved to the GP2 Series and when his father’s Carlin team made their debut in that category in 2011, Chilton was one of their drivers. He gradually improved his performance, winning and securing points and he finished the 2012 season fourth in the championship.

Chilton’s first taste of F1 came with Force India in 2011, the team trying him out in some straight line testing as well as young driver testing later in the year. For the second half of 2012, Chilton joined Marussia as test driver, participating in just one free practice session in the final race of the season. He was promoted to a full time race seat in 2013, and although not outstanding in terms of pace, Chilton did set the record for the only driver to finish every single Grand Prix in their debut season.

Marussia left their second driver confirmation late for the 2014 season, but revealed that Chilton would be with them for another year. He continued to race consistently, if slowly, but couldn't finish the year as the team went into administration three races from the end.

Learn more about Max Chilton with the Pocket F1 Handbook.