MAY 13, 2016

Verstappen gives himself 7 out of 10

How did Max Verstappen rate his first day in his new office? After driving the Red Bull in the two free practice sessions on Friday and completing 60 laps he talked to the media. He was asked to grade himself on a scale of 1 to 10.

Max Verstappen, Spanish GP 2016
© The Cahier Archive

By Dan Knutson in Barcelona

How did Max Verstappen rate his first day in his new office? After driving the Red Bull in the two free practice sessions on Friday and completing 60 laps he talked to the media. Grandprix.com was there to hear what he had to say.

He was asked to grade himself on a scale of 1 to 10.

"I would say a 7," he replied. "I did a lot of procedures and it all went well. I was enjoying it and getting used to the car still, but it is all going well."

Did all the extra media coverage bother him or make him nervous?

"To be honest no because I was used to it from last year from my first race," he said. "Now of course it is a new car, but I was not nervous at all. I just wanted to go out and experience the car."

He was fifth quickest in FP1 and eighth quickest in FP2.

"I was straight up there," he said. "It is not about lap times. I am enjoying it, that is the most important thing."

Naturally he was asked to compare the Toro Rosso he drove in the first four races to Red Bull he is now driving.

"It is too early to say," he replied. "I am still getting used to the car. I don't know the full limits of the car yet. You can explain it more when you are on the limit."

If he is on the limit on Saturday what are his expectations?

"It is all about feelings," he said. "If you feel well in the car you can go to the limit."

So what can Verstappen do this weekend? Can he beat his new teammate Daniel Ricciardo?

"I don't think it is up for me now to beat him," Verstappen stated. "For me it is just getting used to the car. If I have a good feeling I will do my best, and from there on we will see what happens."