- Japanese GP - FP1
Verstappen 'not even close to the limit' on debut
Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen said he held back during his Formula One debut at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday.
Verstappen, who has only just turned 17, took part in first practice in place of Jean-Eric Vergne and set the 12th fastest time, just 0.4s off team-mate Daniil Kvyat. He will race for Toro Rosso next year, but said his first outing during a grand prix weekend was just about building up experience.
"I was relaxed so I just jumped in and tried to do as many laps as possible," he said. "It is the first time out so it can take some laps - five or six. You have the G-Forces and you can't simulate that, that is the main difference. I just did what I had to do. I was not even close to the limit. I was just driving safely without doing any crazy stuff because the main thing was to do plenty of laps.
Verstappen has driven a 2012 car at private test days, but said this year's Toro Rosso was a big step up.
"I can't complain really, I enjoyed it a lot and that was the main thing today - just to get experience and make a lot of laps. I think in general it was more about learning the car, there is quite some difference compared to the 2012 car so I just build it up lap-by-lap and by the end you get used to it. It is always good to drive an F1 car."
Despite not pushing, Verstappen was pleased with his time of 1:38.157.
"I was making laps, getting used to the car and the track - when I saw the time on the screen I was happy."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
