» Verstappen has first proper F1 test

Max Verstappen has moved one step closer to being granted his FIA Super License after completing over 400 kilometres of running in his maiden Formula 1 test outing. The Dutch teenaged had previously had limited running in a street demonstration in Rotterdam, as well as a brief shakedown test at Rockingham.

Verstappen Jr will take the place of Jean-Éric Vergne in the Toro Rosso team’s line-up next year, any by all accounts, he did a marvellous job.

“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,” said Scuderia Toro Rosso sporting director Steve Nielsen. “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.”

Team engineer Xevi Pujolar also echoed praises for the youngster. “Max started his run on intermediates and got up to speed, making no mistakes,” he 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.”

The team plans to run Verstappen in a number of Friday practice outings before the end of the season.

Image via Scuderia Toro Rosso