Max fastest at official FR2.0 NEC test at Hockenheim
Published on 24 March 2014 by Stefan Meens
During the official Hockenheim NEC Formula Renault 2.0 test, Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of the day. The rapid Dutchman took to the track in a FR2.0 racer on behalf of Manor MP Motorsport. As the Formula 3 European Championship drivers are restricted by a set amount of testing days, Max' outing in Germany provided the Dutchman with valuable track time to prepare for the Euro F3 opener, in April at Silverstone.
Equally Manor MP Motorsport is receiving valuable feedback from Max, as their drivers, competing in the FR2.0 Eurocup, are not allowed to take part in the Northern European Cup test. Furthermore, both parties are no strangers to each other as Max took his first single seater drive in a Manor FR2.0 at the Welsh Pembrey circuit, in mid-August.
Max talks us through the first of the two testing days: “We were able to try a lot of different things today. It's important for me to keep putting in the laps to gain experience but Manor also benefit from my testing.”
The day is divided in six free practice session, of which three are 40 minutes land the other three 35 minutes long. Max ends the first, second and final session as the fastest man on track. P5, 3 and 6 are his share in the remaining three sessions.
“From the start, all went well, the car felt really good and I topped the leader boards straight away so I’m really happy with today”, explains Max as he ends the day with the fastest lap (1:37.514) of all seventeen FR2.0 drivers.
In the three sessions that Max is not the fastest, the youngster makes use of old tyres, whereas the opposition laps on fresh rubber. The difference between a brand new and a used set of slicks is more than a second.
More importantly, Max is learning all the time: “I noticed that I’m driving the fast corners much better compared to my first test at Hockenheim. So it's good see I keep progressing and learning as I continue to race more and more.”
He continues: “We were able to put in fast lap times fairly easy so I'm very satisfied. In terms of set-up we did a good job, but we mainly focused on the tyres and in particular the tyre pressure. Also, the team was very happy with the performance today.”
Tuesday will be the second and final day of testing at Hockenheim. Live timing from 9am till 12pm and from 1pm till 5pm will be available at https://livetiming.raceresults.nu/sdotiming. At the end of the day Verstappen.nl will report on Max' test day.
Results Official Formula Renault 2.0 test – Day 1, Monday February 24 – Hockenheim:
Free practice 1
Free practice 2
Free practice 3
Free practice 4
Free practice 5
Free practice 6
