Max brimming with confidence after final test: “Can’t wait till Mebourne”
Published on 03 March 2016 by Mike Motilall
During the morning session, Kimi Raikkonen drove the fastest time. This remained the same in a sunny Barcelona during the afternoon session. The Ferrari-driver clocked a time that left him on the number one spot in the afternoon as well. As Felipe Massa was improving a lot, Force India’s Nico Hülkenberg, was dropped from the second to the third spot. Max Verstappen, third before lunch, did a race-simulation but failed to beat his time set in the morning. The fast Dutchman, finished the day in fourth, after having been on the mediums for the greater part of the afternoon.
At the end of his final day of preseason testing, Max tells Verstappen.nl: “We have had good preseason testing in Barcelona, both weeks. Beforehand, I never expected that I would be able to do that many laps, even more than planned. We worked hard: this afternoon with the long rums and a race distance. The reliability of the car proved to be good also today. Or else you wouldn’t have been able to do 159 laps. That is quite positive.”
Were you physically up to it? “It keeps getting better. I feel fine”, according to a fit looking Max, who also explains his schedule for the day. “You start off with a program and see what problems you encounter, which you try to solve. But we haven’t had much problems. Together with my engineer Xevi, I discuss what needs to be improved on the car and today the car had a better set-up.”
What has been the biggest leap forward with the STR11? “For sure, the reliability. I am also very happy with the drivability of the car. Of course, we always want to keep improving and we need to wait and see where we are compared to the others, but for now we are happy. I can’t wait till the new season starts.” Max continues: “I am definitely looking forward to the Australian GP, it is always fun to race, that is what gives me the most satisfaction. I have been able to get to know the car and am most confident.”
Today also, most of the teams start off with the long runs after lunch. It’s no different at Scuderia Toro Rosso. But around threeish, the fun is over when Romain Grosjean, for the second time today, triggers a code red. In his Haas VF-16, he ventures off track in turn one and after his car has been retrieved, the session gets back underway. The afternoon session progresses, apart from the issues with Haas F1, quite calmly and the teams tend to their schedules apparently without any hitches.
Third time is a charm, is what Romain Grosjean must have thought as he causes a code red for the third time today. With still some minutes remaining, he strands in turn ten. Concluding his day as well as that of his colleagues. The session won’t be resumed.
Just like the first two preseason test days, it is once again a Scuderia Toro Rosso-driver with the most laps to his credit. All seems fine with the reliability of the new Toro Rosso. Max finishes the day with an impressive 159 laps, which concludes his final preseason test.
On March 18th it’s lights out at the end of the pit lane on the circuit of Albert Park. Max will put his STR11 through its paces during the first free practice of the new season.
Pre-season test II, day 3 - Circuit de Catalunya – Thursday 3 March 2016:
1. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:22.765 136 2. Massa Williams 1:23.193 +0.428 119 3. Hülkenberg Force India 1:23.251 +0.486 137 4. Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:23.382 +0.617 159 5. Rosberg Mercedes 1:24.126 +1.361 81 6. Nasr Sauber 1:24.760 +1.995 116 7. Alonso McLaren 1:24.870 +2.105 118 8. Wehrlein Manor F1 1:24.913 +2.148 46 9. Kvyat Red Bull Racing 1:25.141 +2.376 119 10. Palmer Renault 1:26.224 +3.459 97 11. Hamilton Mercedes 1:26.488 +3.723 62 12. Grosjean Haas 1:27.196 +4.431 77
