Max shows tenacity at final FR2.0 Eurocup test day
Published on 28 March 2014 by Stefan Meens
At the final day of the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup test at Jerez, Max Verstappen put in an encouraging performance after a difficult day on Thursday. In his FR2.0 racer, courtesy of Manor MP Motorsport, Max ends the morning in a solid eight place and the afternoon session as runner-up. A good performance, put in under changing track conditions as the rain clouds seemed ever present.
The second and final test day starts with rain and a wet track. Nevertheless, Max heads out on to the circuit on a set of used wet weather tyres. He explains: “When I hit the track for the first time, we put on a set of used wets. However, there were also a bunch of guys, who probably didn’t have any used sets left so they fitted fresh tyres. They had of course a slight advantage.” Despite the tyre choice, Max sets a solid eighth time. “In hindsight, had we know about the track conditions, we would've gone out on fresh rubber, so my eighth place is not bad at all.”
The fastest laps of the morning are all produced in the first part of the session. After that, most of the 34 drivers, including Max, struggle to improve on their earlier set times. Max: “I didn’t matter what everyone tried, the times would not tumble. However, during the remainder of the morning, we were by far the fastest out there.”
Similar to the morning, the afternoon session starts on a wet track. Max does not hesitate and hits the track straight away. “We opted to go out as soon as possible because we anticipated a similar scenario to the morning proceedings. After my first run I was at the top of the time table. A few drivers beat my time but I managed to clinch P1 back.”
Meanwhile the track is drying rapidly and it is time for slicks. “Several drivers went out on slicks with a dry track set-up so they topped my fastest lap time. Then we switched to slicks as well, but we didn’t have enough time to change the set-up from wet to dry. Also, a light rain shower started so I’m very pleased I was still able to put in a P2 on my slicks.” In the end, Max claims second with a 1:47.087, only to be beaten by George Russel.
Verstappen junior thus ends his FR2.0 Eurocup experience on a high, despite a difficult first day. The last Jerez day also marks the end of an intense preparation period as Max absolved FR2.0 tests at Silverstone and Hockenheim last week. Therefore, the young Dutchman gained plenty of track time ahead of his début season in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
Max' Euro F3 campaign will start next week with the first collective test lined up at the Hungaroring on April 4 and 5. He will then take to the track in his Van Amersfoort Racing F3 racer.
Results Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup test – Day 2, Friday March 28 – Jerez:
Morning session
Afternoon session
