- Toro Rosso
Verstappen completes 'very impressive' Toro Rosso test
Max Verstappen has completed his first test of a Formula One car after driving a 2012 Toro Rosso at the Adria International Raceway in Italy.
Verstappen completed 148 laps of the 1.7-mile circuit, more than enough mileage to qualify for an F1 superlicence. Overnight rain meant Verstappen, who is still just 16 years old, started the test on intermediate tyres before switching to slicks later in the day - with a mixture of short and long runs throughout.
It was Verstappen's first time in an F1 car since crashing at a promotional run in Rotterdam, and was met with acclaim by Toro Rosso. Xevi Pujolar, who will be Verstappen's race engineer for his debut season in 2015, was highly impressed with the youngster's performance.
"Max started his run on Intermediates and got up to speed, making no mistakes," Pujolar said. "We worked through various procedures that make up a race weekend. He was very focused and precise and learned quickly, without having to ask many questions.
"Once we were able to fit slicks, he got used to the car in the dry and built up his speed, while we tried various fuel levels, replicating both qualifying and race trim, doing a mix of short and long runs. For a first day, it was very impressive."
Toro Rosso's sporting director Steve Nielsen said: "In his first real test in a Formula 1 car, Max did a very competent job, giving the impression he has been driving a Formula 1 car for quite a while, not like someone on their first day behind the wheel. He made no mistakes all day, seemed confident and once he was told something he remembered it. In general, he coped very well with this first test."
Verstappen also said he enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to the next opportunity to drive a Formula One car.
"I was looking forward to my first drive in a Formula 1 car on a proper race track and I really enjoyed it," Verstappen said. "It was a good opportunity to work with Xevi, who will be my race engineer next year, as well as having a chance to get used to all the buttons on the steering wheel. I think it went well and I can't wait to get back into a Formula 1 car as soon as possible."
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