Max gains valuable track time at Silverstone

Published on 21 March 2014 by Stefan Meens

Friday marks the final day of a two day Formula Renault 2.0 test session for Max Verstappen at Silverstone. On Thursday, the 16-year-old already showed he can adapt quickly to a new track as he set the fastest time of all. On day two, Max again has the opportunity to gain vital experience on the iconic British circuit, on which he will make his Euro F3 début in less than a month time. 

Similar to the previous day, Max takes to the track in a FR2.0 provided by Fortec Motorsports. Again, four forty-five minute sessions are lined up for drivers. But unlike Thursday, Verstappen junior has to content with damp conditions and a lot more traffic on track.
He explains: “During the first session, the circuit was damp due to the overnight rain. On top of that, I had to share the track with about 60 other cars. This resulted in quite a few red flags. Despite all this, we showed good pace on used tyres.”

The following session is absolved under dry conditions. Max: “The second session was dry, but again there were plenty of red flags and traffic so I couldn’t do a single ‘clean’ lap.”
After lunch, the third session gets underway and Max heads out on used tyres. “Our plan was to do a few laps on the old tyres and then switch to new rubber. At the very moment we wanted to change the tyres, there was oil on most of the track so we opted out of the switch as new tyres are useless under those track conditions.”

Max once again hits the track on used tyres as the fourth and final session gets underway. “We stuck to same plan as the third session but when we came in for a new set of slicks, it started raining again so I didn’t manage a clean lap on new tyres today”, concludes Max.

Despite the rain, traffic and red flags, he was able to gain valuable track time on a circuit that is completely new to the Dutch youngster. In a few weeks’ time, Max will return to Silverstone in his Van Amersfoort Racing F3 car to compete in the opening round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. No doubt, these last two days will prove useful upon Max’ return to England.