F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen ‘a bit shocked’ by Red Bull promotion

Max Verstappen admits he was “a bit shocked” when he was informed of his promotion from Toro Rosso to Red Bull.

The Dutchman replaces Daniil Kvyat at Milton Keynes from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards, while the Russian returns to Faenza following a troubled start to his 2016 F1 campaign despite delivering Red Bull’s sole podium finish of the season so far.

Although there was little doubt that Verstappen would step up to the energy drinks giant’s main team eventually, the 18-year-old concedes Thursday’s announcement came as a surprise.

“Of course, I was very happy, a bit shocked,” Verstappen said. “I did not expect that.

“I have never driven the RB11 nor the RB12 before so it’ll be a whole new experience, a lot of new procedures to learn but I am up for it.

“ I know what [Red Bull] has done in the history of Formula One. They are very competitive. I am also a very competitive person, so hopefully it’s a perfect match.”

After a challenging 2015 campaign, Red Bull has returned to form this year, consistently fighting on the cusp of the podium positions. Asked if he felt any extra pressure heading to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the light of his fast-tracked graduation, Verstappen replied:

“I just take it quite relaxed, see where it goes, work as well as I can with the engineers, study the procedures, and also try to learn from my team-mate.

“I go [to Spain] with no expectations to be honest. I just want to adapt to the car, understand it better and better every session. I’ll study the data a lot. The most important thing is that we score some points.”

OPINION: Why Red Bull is right to promote Max Verstappen

Silbermann says ... Red Bull Clips Your Wings

Scene at the Russian Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

1 hour ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

2 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

3 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

3 hours ago

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

13 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

14 hours ago