F1's governing body has cleared the way for Max Verstappen to make history this week at Suzuka.
Under existing rules, a hopeful rookie can qualify for the mandatory 'super license' credential by testing for more than 300 kilometres under FIA supervision.
Verstappen, who turns 17 on Tuesday, did that recently at Adria in Italy, as Red Bull pushes F1's youngest ever driver into action at an unprecedented speed.
"He did 396 kilometres without any problem," said Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost in Singapore. "People were really impressed with his performance and now it's in the hands of the FIA."
Indeed, the Faenza based team announced on Monday that the Dutchman has been granted a super license, and will therefore make his Friday practice debut at Suzuka in Jean-Eric Vergne's place.
Even so, the Verstappen issue is a contentious one.
Some believe it is ridiculous that a driver who does not even qualify for a road-driving license can leap almost directly from karting to motor racing's highest category.
"His appearance (in Japan) will underline fears that the sport is simply too easy," The Times correspondent Kevin Eason reports.
"The FIA ... is said to be examining ways of making F1 cars harder to drive," he revealed.
Another measure under scrutiny is the ease with which drivers can obtain the super license, after the FIA recently vowed to "review the qualification and conditions" for the credential.
Nonetheless, Verstappen is unfazed by the controversy.
"I don't look at social media too much," he is quoted by the Dutch website racexpress.nl.
"There are many negative things written, but also many positive things as well. I just concentrate on what I'm doing."
An erupting volcano is threatening to affect this weekend's Japanese grand prix.
On Saturday, Mount Ontake - located less than 200 kilometres from the Suzuka circuit - erupted, killing dozens.
Smoke, ash and poisonous gas is still billowing from the volcano, and Germany's Bild newspaper reports that just as F1 personnel are flying into Japan, many flights about being delayed or diverted.
"Race organisers hope that all the drivers will have arrived in time for the first practice session on Friday," said correspondent Nicola Pohl.
The 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra has been spied virtually undisguised ahead of a possible official reveal this week at the Paris Motor Show.
When Seat unveiled the Leon Cupra in March at the Geneva Motor Show they only showed the three- and five-door hatchbacks but pretty soon the family will be expanded with the addition of the wagon variant. Like its two siblings, the ST will pack a more aggressive body kit matched with a dual exhaust setup, red brake calipers and LED headlights.
Power will come from a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine developing 265 HP (195 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft). Chances are Seat will offer the Leon ST also in the "Cupra 280" range-topping trim with output bumped to 280 HP (206 kW), wheel size increased from 18 to 19 inches and the addition of an aero kit.
In terms of performance, the three-door Leon SC Cupra 280 needs 5.7 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) with the DSG transmission but the ST will be a few ticks of a second slower due to a slightly increased weight.
The 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra will probably be revealed on Thursday during the first press day of the Paris Motor Show, with sales kicking off shortly thereafter. At the same venue, Volkswagen could decide to bring the 300 HP Golf R Variant.
