Max Verstappen says he was able to continue getting used to the Red Bull F1 car during this week’s post-Spanish Grand Prix test, capping a formidable week in Spain with the fastest time overall on the final day.
Following his fast-track promotion from Toro Rosso, the 18-year-old drove this year’s RB12 for the first time last Friday in free practice. That did not prevent Verstappen from becoming the youngest race winner in F1 history two days later.
Asked about his return to the cockpit of his new machine, the Dutchman replied: “It is good to get some more running in the car. I could finally do some more things on the steering wheel to see what I could improve and I learned some good points.
“I enjoyed it again, from the first lap I went out in the car it was very enjoyable to drive.
“So, it was very good day for me. I could test a lot of stuff for me to get used to the car.”
Red Bull’s main item on its testing job list was to assess Renault’s B-spec power unit, which could be introduced as early as next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. Although his experience of the current engine amounts to a single race weekend, Verstappen can already see noticeable progress with the upgrade.
“I think it is positive. We just wanted to check the numbers and the reliability and it was all good. We didn't have any problems so we could run the whole day.”
REPORT: Verstappen sets the pace on second day of Barcelona test
AS IT HAPPENED: Barcelona post-race test - Day 2
Scene at the Spanish Grand Prix
Spanish Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend
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