Max debuts in Monaco with the second time: “Super feeling about the track”

Published on 21 May 2015 by Mike Motilall

Formula 1-rookie Max Verstappen, ended the first free practice session of Monaco’s Grand Prix in second. The Dutchman, driving this tricky street circuit for the very first time in his motorsports career, was only a tenth slower than World champion Lewis Hamilton.

“Of course I am ecstatic with the second time”, a good spirited Max reports to Verstappen.nl. “The car turns in beautifully which is very important on this circuit. I have a super feeling about the track.” The work done in the simulator has clearly not been in vain. “Driving Red Bull’s simulator and doing the real thing in Monaco is quite comparable.” Looking forward Max says: “I am looking forward to this afternoon and the rest of the weekend, but there is a long way to go before the checkered flag is out. But my initial feeling with Monaco is really super.”

When the first free practice in Monaco, traditionally held on Thursday, gets on its way, all drivers are to be found on the intermediates during their reconnaissance lap. Mainly because the asphalt is still damp due to the nightly shower. As the sun starts shining, these can quickly be swapped for the softer compound slicks.

During the first half hour, the first corner appears to be quite some challenge, as many a driver cannot make it stick. Daniel Ricciardo, Pastor Maldonado, Romain Grosjean, Valtteri Bottas and Fernando Alonso all fail to pass Sainte Devote, during the practice. Causing the run off area to see quite some traffic. Nico Rosberg has a moment when he brushes against the guardrail at Tabac, but when he re-emerges, half an hour later, he challenges his Mercedes team mate Hamilton for the fastest time.

Max, the only one never to have driven in Monte Carlo, keeps improving himself and claims third after forty-five minutes. As the lap times keep dropping, Verstappen is P9 (1:20.765) with still half an hour remaining. The Mercedes and Ferrari’s, at that time, occupy the first four positions.

During the closing of the first free practice, Max settles down and shows that racing in Monaco, is kind of like racing in an oversized kart. From 1:19.995, 1:19.365 and then 1:18.899 Max rips through seventh, third to finally seize second. Just 0.149 seconds shy from Hamilton’s best time, which is quite an achievement. He even manages – as equally important – to achieve his goal to do some forty laps.

Apparently the Renault engine driven teams have done well in Monte Carlo, as this is confirmed by the likes of Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) with the third spot, Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) on P5 and Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull Racing) on seventh. Sebastian Vettel planted his Ferrari on the fourth spot.

Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco – Thursday 21 May

 P No Driver             Team          Time     Gap  Laps 
 1 44 Lewis Hamilton     Mercedes      1:18.750        49 
 2 33 Max Verstappen     Toro Rosso    1:18.899 +0.149 42 
 3  3 Daniel Ricciardo   Red Bull      1:19.086 +0.336 27 
 4  5 Sebastian Vettel   Ferrari       1:19.134 +0.384 31 
 5 55 Carlos Sainz       Toro Rosso    1:19.245 +0.495 40 
 6 13 Pastor Maldonado   Lotus         1:19.454 +0.704 35 
 7 26 Daniil Kvyat       Red Bull      1:19.520 +0.770 33 
 8  7 Kimi Räikkönen     Ferrari       1:19.679 +0.929 31 
 9  6 Nico Rosberg       Mercedes      1:19.762 +1.012 47 
10 19 Felipe Massa       Williams      1:19.766 +1.016 32 
11 14 Fernando Alonso    McLaren       1:19.791 +1.041 28 
12 22 Jenson Button      McLaren       1:20.202 +1.452 15 
13  8 Romain Grosjean    Lotus         1:20.274 +1.524 34 
14 11 Sergio Perez       Force India   1:20.619 +1.869 35 
15 27 Nico Hulkenberg    Force India   1:20.784 +2.034 34 
16 12 Felipe Nasr        Sauber        1:20.857 +2.107 24 
17 77 Valtteri Bottas    Williams      1:20.917 +2.167 36 
18  9 Marcus Ericsson    Sauber        1:21.219 +2.469 25 
19 28 Will Stevens       Marussia      1:23.234 +4.484 28 
20 98 Roberto Merhi      Marussia      1:23.404 +4.654 31