Max finds the limit on final Hockenheim FR2.0 test day
Published on 26 March 2014 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen experienced an eventful second Northern European Cup (NEC) Formula Renault 2.0 test day at Hockenheim. After setting the fastest lap on the Monday, the talented Dutchman set the third quickest lap on Tuesday in the late afternoon. However, he missed most of the morning session due to a crash.
Max once again took the German track in an FR2.0 provided by Dutch outfit Manor MP Motorsport. Unlike the six short free practice session lined up the previous day, Tuesday sees a morning (9am – 12pm) and an afternoon session (1pm – 5pm) scheduled.
In the early stages of the first free practice the circuit remains quiet for almost three quarters of an hour before several drivers leave the pits. Max is among those who venture out, and after three laps the youngster tops the timetable. Max cannot enjoy his P1 for long as his rear wheel clips a damp kerbstone. He is unable to control the car and the rear hits the wall. The crash signals the end of Max’ morning running.
He explains the incident: “As I drove onto the main straight I dipped with my rear tyre onto the artificial grass outside the kerb, resulting in me spinning into the wall. It was quite an impact but I didn’t experience any harm from it.”
The Manor MP Motorsport mechanics do a terrific job throughout the remainder of the morning session as Max is able to participate in the afternoon session after lunch. Similar to morning proceedings, the track stays quiet at the beginning of the second session. This time the teams opt out of driving, due to a shower that swept across the circuit over lunch.
Ninety minutes into the session, Max hits the circuit and straight away sets the fastest lap. However, as the track becomes faster and faster he drops back to eleventh, before he regains the top spot fifteen minutes later.
The remainder of the final Hockenheim session sees many drivers improve their lap times resulting in ever changing leader boards. In the closing stages, almost everyone hits the circuit to squeeze out one more blistering lap. By a mere 0.067s, Max misses out on P1 set by Martin Kodric. The 16-year-old therefore has to settle for third. 0.007 behind second placed Louis Delétraz.
“The last half hour I went out on new tyres and I put in a few decent laps. But I’m not entirely satisfied as I experienced a bit too much understeer in the tighter corners. So I lost a bit of time in them. I did however learn a lot today”, concludes Max.
Despite the minor hiccup on Tuesday morning, Max can reflect on two important test days in which he gained plenty of vital track time in preparation for his F3 début at Silverstone. In England Max will compete, on behalf of Van Amersfoort Racing, in the prestigious FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
Results Official Formula Renault 2.0 test – Day 2, Tuesday February 25 – Hockenheim:
Morning session
Afternoon session
