Q&A with Max after F1-debut at Suzuka

Published on 03 October 2014 by Niels Hendrix

Max Verstappen made history at Suzuka on Friday morning when he became the youngest driver to participate in a Formula One Grand Prix weekend, deputising for Scuderia Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne in FP1.

Below the interview from Formula1.com with the 17-year-old Red Bull Junior after the session.

Your first taste of a 2014 Formula One car, and your first official Grand Prix session. How was it today?
Max Verstappen: “At the moment I'm really happy, I enjoyed it and I think that was the main thing today - just getting experience, driving around and getting used to an F1 car. Once I was driving I was enjoying it a lot. I was quite calm before I jumped in the car because for me the main thing was just to get used to the car - and that's what I did.”

How long did it take you to acclimatise? The STR9 is obviously far more powerful than what you are used to in Formula Three...
Max: “It took me two or three laps to get used to it of course, because I have never driven here before and this was my first time in this type of car. But in a few laps you feel quite comfortable. It was quite alright - today was just getting used to the first bits of the car. At the end I managed quite well I think.”

Did anything about the car surprise you? What were the main challenges?
Max: “The power and the engine really - that makes a lot of difference. But also the brakes, the steering - everything is completely different. The torque you have is quite a lot so you have to manage that with throttle application. I had to take some laps to adjust for that but I think at the end it wasn't not too bad.”

How about the working environment - the attention to detail within the team?
Max: “Yeah, but I don't see that as a big change, it's just more people around you. I think it's always better to have that!”

You ended the session 12th fastest, and within a few tenths of your future team mate Daniil Kvyat. How pleased are you with that?
Max: “Honestly my feeling was that I was not pushing at all. For the whole session I was driving safe - I didn't want to crash, I just wanted to make laps and that's what I did. I think I was straight away quite okay with the pace, but I was just getting used to the car. I was building up pace and confidence lap by lap. Step by step I am learning everything - and step by step you can push more.”

So do you now feel ready for F1 racing?
Max: “Sure. I still need some time in the car to get used to it, but I still have some practices ahead so I'm looking forward to it. Of course my confidence is higher now because I did some laps so now I know more what the car is doing, when before I had no experience, so for sure it will be better and better. I'm getting there.”

How about your engine issues - you seemed to deal with a smoking car very calmly...
Max: “I saw some smoke coming out the rear of the car and I know what's happening then! You can't change it anyway, so I just stopped the car and walked back.”

And what about your father Jos? Was this a special moment for both of you?
Max: “I think he was quite nervous and I was calm, so it was quite funny. We have done everything together, so if you accomplish something like this it's a great feeling. He has taught me a lot.”

Will it be a bit of a relief to get away from the attention for a while, having now made your Grand Prix weekend debut?
Max: “I don't feel any pressure really. I'm quite relaxed - I don't worry about it.”