Max entertains in a Toro Rosso at VKV City Racing
Published on 01 September 2014 by Stefan Meens
At the tenth edition of the VKV City Racing event, Max Verstappen put on a terrific show for the 600.000 people attending. In a RB8 Formula 1 car, with Scuderia Toro Rosso livery, the young Dutchman drove through the streets of Rotterdam at high speed before treating the race fans to some spectacular donuts.
“History was written right here”, explains Rotterdam Racing’s director and organiser Robert Heilbron. ”For both Max and myself it was sort of a dream come true. It’s a momentous occasion to have Max have his first proper go in an F1 car, here in the Netherlands. So I want to thank the VKV City group for making this event possible.”
Max was in Rotterdam for three days and on each of the days he took the streets in a Scuderia Toro Rosso. On Friday and Saturday he drove across the famous Erasmus bridge. “It was awesome driving across the bridge. The track was a bit bumpy on the way to the bridge but on the way back it was a lot better. It was a little bit tricky with cold tyres and all that power but it was a terrific experience and I wasn’t nervous at all.”
For the majority of the year, Max’ office has been his Van Amersfoort Racing Formula 3 car. However, the switch into an F1 cockpit did not phase the 16-year-old. “A Formula 1 car has more power, better acceleration, is wider, has bigger tyres and more buttons. But you get used to it fairly quickly. The position in the car is pretty much the same compared to an F3 cockpit.”
“Once you know what you’re doing and when you’re in control, it doesn’t really matter where you drive, even if it’s on a narrow street course in Rotterdam. Having said that, I haven’t really had a chance to experience the true speed and pace of a Formula 1 car as I haven’t driven high speed corners on a circuit. Nevertheless, this was a terrific experience and I got into fifth gear, clocking over 200km/h."
On Sunday, Max lapped the VKV City Racing course in four different runs. A minor shunt with the barriers at the cost of front wing, did not spoil the fun. “It was so much fun driving at VKV City Racing in front of a home crowd. I hope the fans enjoyed it as much as I did!”
The next task for Max, will be the remainder of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. “It’s been very hectic and busy the last few weeks, but that’s all part of it. For now, we’ll focus on F3 again. In fact, I wouldn’t have been in F3 if it wasn’t for VKV so I’m glad I could put on a show this weekend.”
Heilbron is delighted with the outcome of the weekend. “It’s a milestone that Max with his talent has reached F1. And to be able to get him to Rotterdam is tremendous. Especially if you consider that these events can only take place because of the efforts of loyal sponsors. VKV Group CEO Chris Visscher was committed from the start and without VKV there wouldn’t have been a City Racing event. Therefore, I sincerely want to thank Chris."
Visscher himself said: “It’s awesome to be able to work together with City Racing to give Max this opportunity to race here. I’m delighted that VKV acted as the link between Max and City Racing.”
Jos Verstappen, the sporting director of VKV City Racing, stayed away from the lime light as his son was the main focus of the attention. “Times are changing rapidly and I don’t mind remaining in the back ground. Of course, Max and I reached F1 together, but now it’s all about Max. It’s now his turn to prove his worth in Formula 1”, concludes a proud Jos after a successful and entertaining weekend.
