Max after first test: "The car does what I want it to do"
Published on 25 February 2016 by Stefan Meens
Thursday saw the final day of the first pre-season test ahead of the 2016 Formula 1 season. Kimi Raikkonnen finished the day as the quickest driver, steering his Ferrari to a 1:23.477. The Finn set his time on the new ultra-soft Pirelli compound. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen had a busy morning session lapping the Circuit de Catalunya 78 times. The afternoon was less productive due to some technical issues. The Dutchman therefore only added 32 laps to his tally totalling at 110 for the day.
“As our focus lies on long runs during this test, today was a good day”, says Max to Verstappen.nl. “I had a lot of fun as well. The car responds to my input, which is very positive. The reliability hasn't been an issue either these past four days. We’ve had a puncture and we're yet to find out why but it wasn't a tyre issue. But that's what testing is for.”
The small setback in the afternoon meant Max was not able to cover a race distance as intended.”At one point we just decided to call it a day. It was a productive day so let's just focus on next week. We weren’t able to do a race distance today, but we did already yesterday. And besides, I don’t do cover a race distance to feel the car.”
Looking back, I'm happy we were able to do so many laps. We were able to get to know the car and I feel comfortable in it. For the team, these four days have been important as well. It's too early to say where we stand but that will soon become clear, perhaps next week”, says a determined Max confidently looking ahead to the next test.
The 18-year-old Dutchman is eager to get going after lunch for his planned race simulation. However nine laps in, the STR11's rear snaps in turn 10. Max is only just able to keep the car on track. He immediately goes back to the Toro Rosso garage where the team conclude he suffered a slow puncture. It means Max spends a fair chunk of the afternoon in the pits.
The Toro Rosso's puncture did not result in a red flag, but F1 rookie Rio Haryanto's crash does. After spinning in turn 5 on Wednesday, the Indonesian driver parks his Manor in the barriers at turn 4.
It was not the only red flag of the session. Estaban Guttierrez is forced to stop his Haas also at turn 4, causing another temporary halt to the session. Fifteen minutes before the end of the session, Kevin Magnussen is the last driver to cause a red flag after his Renault looses power at turn 3.
Meanwhile Toro Rosso is able to send Max back on track. The youngster embarks on 22 lap stint, which ends with Guttierrez's red flag. After Max returns to his box, the team conclude the earlier issue causing the slow puncture is too big to send their driver back out. It means after 110 laps on the final day, Max' first taste of the STR11 finished prematurely. Nevertheless both driver and team are happy with the first test.
The teams will now prepare for the second and final pre-season test. Once again, the Circuit de Catalunya will host four day test, taking place Tuesday 1 March until Friday 4 March.
Pre-season test I, day 4 – Circuit de Catalunya – Thursday 25 February
AFTERNOON SESSION 1. Räikkönen Ferrari SF16-H 1:23.477 80 2. Kvyat Red Bull Racing RB12 1:24.293 +0.816 96 3. Celis Force India VJM09 1:24.840 +1.363 75 4. Magnussen Renault RS16 1:25.263 +1.786 153 5. Verstappen Toro Rosso STR11 1:25.393 +1.916 110 6. Nasr Sauber C34 1:26.053 +2.576 121 7. Rosberg Mercedes W07 1:26.187 +2.710 86 8. Hamilton Mercedes W07 1:26.295 +2.818 99 9. Massa Willliams FW38 1:26.483 +3.006 54 10. Gutierrez Haas F1 VF-16 1:27.802 +4.325 89 11. Haryanto Manor F1 MRT05 1:28.266 +4.789 51 12. Alonso McLaren MP4-31 geen tijd 3
