Max Verstappen says Toro Rosso's new power unit deal with Ferrari is proving to be very positive for the team.
With uncertainty regarding Red Bull's power unit supply late last season, Toro Rosso eventually secured a deal to receive 2015-specification Ferrari engines this year. Although not running a current specification power unit, Verstappen said the way the first test went - with Toro Rosso completing the most mileage aside from Mercedes - proves what a step forward the new engine provides.
“Yeah I think in general over the four days what we did we had great reliability, we could do a lot of laps and that’s always very important with a new car," Verstappen said. "You have to get comfortable, the team needs to understand the car, I need to understand the car, and I think that all worked out.
“[The Ferrari engine] feels good. Also the relationship together with them is all very positive. We help each other a lot and I’m very happy.”
With Toro Rosso set to introduce an upgrade package at the second test, Verstappen says any anticipation over the new parts should not belittle the progress shown during the first week of testing.
"It’s all tested in the windtunnel. Our windtunnel works very well so it should also work on track but we still have to wait and see. I am of course looking forward to it but I think we can already be very happy with the four days we had so far.”
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…
When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…
Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…
Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…
Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…
Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…