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First laps in new car will tell Verstappen where he stands

Max Verstappen says he'll get an idea of his title chances this year after just one day of testing in Red Bull Racing's new car.

The 20-year-old embarks on his fourth season of F1 and hopes the Milton Keynes outfit and engine partner Renault will hit the ground running when pre-season testing kicks off in Barcelona on February 26.

The Dutch prodigy is just as anxious as anyone to get behind the wheel of his 2018 charger and assess his chances of fighting at the front this season.

"Normally you get an impression at the very beginning of the year, but this is not the goal," says Verstappen.

"The most important thing is to get reliability in testing so you can determine the driving characteristics of the new car.

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"But you can understand if a car is good or not already in the first day of testing," Verstappen added.

Red Bull enjoyed a successful end to 2017, with Verstappen winning in Malaysia and Mexico. The Dutchman is therefore hoping to keep the momentum going at the outset in Melbourne.

"Yes, we still need to of course to wait and see how competitive we are with the new car and engine," he adds.

"But being a driver, you always need to have faith in yourself, I think."

Like his colleagues, Verstappen enjoyed a winter break but has been in full preparation mode for several weeks now.

"I'm a little more relaxed than my first seasons in Formula 1, because now I know what awaits me. But physically it's difficult, so I still have to train very well."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.