Max makes most of final test day despite engine issues

Published on 01 March 2015 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen wrapped up pre-season testing with a fourth place (1:24.527) on the final test day at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Dutchman completed 49 laps in the morning before engine issues limited his track time in the afternoon. Nevertheless, the Scuderia Toro Rosso rookie added another 36 laps to his tally in the second half of the day.

“Today, we didn’t do as many laps as we wanted, but overall, I have had a very good winter test season, completing a lot of laps. Today, the team did a very good job to get me back out on track. I learned a lot about the car, in terms of set-up and I could see in which areas I can improve.”

Max is one of the first drivers to leave the pits as the morning session gets under way at 08:00am. The 17-year-old once drives an STR10 once again fitted with an aero sensor frame to measure the aerodynamics the car generates. After a couple of practice starts, the youngster then proceeds to do some long runs on the harder compounds for the rest of the morning.

After lunch, Max sets out for another long run on the harder Pirellis. Nineteen laps into his stint, the Toro Rosso loses drive due to an engine issue and Max parks the car in turn 11. After the car is brought back to the pit box, the mechanics have their work cut out in an attempt to fix the 2015-spec car before the end of the session.

All the scuderia's hard work pays off. After two hours of repairing, with an hour to go, Max steers the STR10 on to the circuit for a couple of installation laps on the softs and laps on the supersofts. As this compound does not last very long around the Spanish track, Max heads back to the pits for a fresh set of Pirellis.

“The supersofts and even the softs are too soft for the Barcelona circuit. They are practically worn before completing a single lap so medium is definitely the compound for this track. However, it was good to have tried them”, explains Max. “In the last half an hour, we did a qualifying simulation and we didn’t have enough time to fine tune the set-up but it was good experience. Out here today, things don’t have to be perfect. But in Melbourne they do.”

In the final laps that follow, the Dutchman manages a 1:24.527, granting him P4. Sauber's Felipe Nasr, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finish the day just ahead of Max in third and second with Valtteri Bottas setting the fastest lap (1:23.063.) in his Williams.

After his last lap, Max shows gratitude to team. “Guys, thanks very much for the quick repairs. Thanks to you guys I've been able to improve myself a lot, so many thanks to you all!”

Reflecting back on the season, Max said to Verstappen.nl: “I've really learned a lot in the last couple of months ranging from long and short runs to pit stops and starts. And after my first full race simulation I felt ready and fit to do another race distance, so bring on the first race!”

We do not have to wait long for the first Grand Prix, in a fortnight, Max will line up on the grid in Melbourne for his very first Formula 1 race. “I can’t wait and I believe we have a good package. Together with the team I have learned a lot over these three tests and I feel ready to go racing”, concludes Max with a big smile on his face.

Third pre-season test - Barcelona day 4 - Sunday 1 March

Pos    Driver                   Team            Time                    Laps
1      Valtteri Bottas 	        Williams  	1:23.063s 		(89)
2      Sebastian Vettel 	Ferrari  	1:23.469s  +0.406 	(129)
3      Felipe Nasr 		Sauber  	1:24.023s  +0.960 	(159)
4      Max Verstappen 	        Toro Rosso  	1:24.527s  +1.464 	(85)
5      Daniel Ricciardo 	Red Bull  	1:24.638s  +1.575 	(72)
6      Sergio Perez 	        Force India  	1:25.113s  +2.050 	(130)
7      Nico Rosberg 	        Mercedes  	1:25.186s  +2.123 	(148)
8      Jenson Button   	        McLaren  	1:25.327s  +2.264 	(30)
9      Pastor Maldonado 	Lotus  		1:28.272s  +5.209 	(35)