Toro Rosso hopeful to give Max FP1 outing in Japan

Published on 20 September 2014 by Stefan Meens

If everything goes to plan, Max Verstappen will make his Grand Prix weekend début at the Japanese round of the Formula 1 World Championship in October. The Dutch teenager recently racked up enough miles to qualify for an F1 superlicence after his first official Toro Rosso test and is hopeful to hit the track in free practice 1 during the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Italian team has therefore applied to the FIA to grant Verstappen his superlicense. “Last week, Max comfortably absolved 245 miles and we were very impressed with his performance. However, the decision is ultimately in the hands of the FIA”, explains team principal Franz Tost. "We are preparing him step-by-step and I am convinced he is the right driver for us for 2015."

Apart from the optional FP1 outings, Max will contest the remaining two rounds of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at Imola (12 October) and Hockenheim (17 October). Furthermore, the Red Bull Junior will enter the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix with Van Amersfoort Racing in November.