First test in Formula Renault 3.5 as a Red Bull Junior
Published on 12 August 2014 by Stefan Meens
The newest member of the Red Bull Junior Team, Max Verstappen, had his first outing in a Formula Renault 3.5 Series racer on Tuesday. The talented Dutchman lapped the Red Bull Ring over 30 times despite heavy rain showers continually sweeping across the Austrian track.
Max enjoyed his time in a car that sits in between Formula 3 and Formula 1 in terms of performance. “I had a great time in the FR 3.5 racer. The goal was to put in as many laps as possible to get a feel for this type of car and to get used to the higher speeds etc. It all went very well.”
Verstappen junior drove a 2012 spec version of the car, which is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 that produces 480 bhp. The car, weighing about 600 kg, is fitted with a semi-automatic six-speed gearbox and the all-carbon fibre chassis is manufactured by Dallara.
“As I only drove in the rain, it’s hard to compare a FR 3.5 with a Formula 3 car. But it’s obvious the former accelerates a lot faster than an F3 racer. The Formula Renault 3.5 is a bit bigger but I didn’t struggle to adapt. I felt comfortable and confident to pick up the pace straight away. You never know what to expect when driving a different car for the first time but it went well from the start”, reveals Max.
The test is finished earlier than planned due to the heavy rain. Nevertheless, the goal, set at the beginning of the day, is met. “It wasn’t really safe to drive anymore but I’m glad we were able to put in a fair amount of laps without problems or leaving the track. It really is a great car.”
In the end, Max’ first day as a Red Bull Junior can be labelled a success. “I really enjoyed my first test day as a Red Bull Junior. It’s all very professional and everything is taken care of.”
Max’ next competitive outing will be at the ninth round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the Nürburgring. The 16-year-old Van Amersfoort Racing driver will tame the ring wearing his new helmet. “I love my new design with the famous Red Bull colours and logo, it’s really cool”, concludes a delighted Max.
