Max kicks off 2015 campaign with P6 in FP1

Published on 13 March 2015 by Stefan Meens

After an intense pre-season in which he completed over 1700 miles, Max Verstappen’s debut Formula 1 season finally got underway. In the first free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver clocked the sixth fastest time (1:31.067) whilst lapping the Albert Park course 31 times.

“This morning we were able to complete many laps and it was good for me to get used to the track. It was a useful first practice and I was able to understand the car a bit more. I also didn’t make any mistakes, so that was good", says Max to Verstappen.nl.

As soon as the track is opened up for free practice 1, both Toro Rosso drivers head out on track, with Max leading the way around Albert Park. After a couple of installation laps, Max clocks his first timed run. Lap after lap, he posts quicker times and after half an hour, the Dutchman sits in eighth place.

A couple of laps later Max goes wide over some kerbstones. “I went off in turn four, that’s why this lap wasn’t as good”, explains Max on the team radio, as he explores the limits of the street circuit. Nevertheless, Max puts in a 1:31.0, which, at that moment in time, gives him P3.

An hour into the session, Sainz takes third place from Max, by lapping the Merlbourne course 0.05s faster than the Dutchman. Overall, Scuderia Toro Rosso has a good first session with the Spanish rookie finishing fourth and their Dutch rookie sixth. With Sainz clocking 32 and Max completing 31 laps, the Italian team are also the most productive team in free practice 1.

However, not all teams headed out for the session. In the end, only sixteen drivers participated. Manor, despite a financially troublesome winter back in the paddock, were unable to prepare their cars on time. Sauber stayed in the pits as well. The team’s dispute with Giedo van der Garde seemingly prevents the Swiss team from taking to the track.

Meanwhile at the front, reigning world champions Mercedes tops the timing sheets with Nico Rosberg pipping Lewis Hamilton. Valtteri Bottas completes the top three ahead of Sainz, Sebastian Vettel and Max.

Australian Grand Prix – Albert Park – Friday 13 March 

FREE PRACTICE 1 
   Name			Team 		Time 	   Laps 
 1 Nico Rosberg 	Mercedes 	1:29.557   19 
 2 Lewis Hamilton 	Mercedes 	1:29.586   19 
 3 Valtteri Bottas 	Williams 	1:30.748   20 
 4 Carlos Sainz Jr 	Toro Rosso 	1:31.014   32 
 5 Sebastian Vettel 	Ferrari 	1:31.029   13 
 6 Max Verstappen 	Toro Rosso 	1:31.067   31 
 7 Felipe Massa 	Williams 	1:31.188   19 
 8 Kimi Raikkonen 	Ferrari 	1:31.310   14 
 9 Pastor Maldonado 	Lotus 		1:31.451   22 
10 Daniel Ricciardo 	Red Bull 	1:31.570   9 
11 Daniil Kvyat 	Red Bull 	1:32.073   18 
12 Sergio Perez 	Force India 	1:32.247   22 
13 Nico Hulkenberg 	Force India 	1:32.261   19 
14 Jenson Button 	McLaren 	1:34.542   6 
15 Kevin Magnussen 	McLaren 	1:34.785   7 
16 Romain Grosjean 	Lotus 		2:17.782   5

Via Twitter and Facebook we'll keep you updated throughout the test followed by a full report on Verstappen.nl at the end of the day’s action. You can find the schedule for the Australian Grand Prix test here. Don't forget to check out the weekend’s photo album.