Max Verstappen confirms ongoing development STR11
Published on 23 February 2016 by Mike Motilall
As the setting sun casts long shadows on the paddock of Circuit de Catalunya, Max Verstappen is talking to the press just outside the Toro Rosso pit box. They are particularly curious to know more about the STR11, which is not completely finished yet: during next week’s test, there will be a lot of parts on the car that are not present now. That is what restricts the car’s speed at this moment. But the youngster is mostly happy, after not been able to drive for three months, to be back in a Formula 1-car again.
“I felt the car already in the simulator, so you globally get an impression of the car. The first few laps, you don’t know how it all feels like and that makes the first ten laps or so quite interesting.”
Is it true that the car is still being developed before it gets back on track here next week? “Yes, next week we will be getting new parts on the car. Of course, I am very happy with that. As it was a late call regarding the engine, it was difficult to strap on all the new parts. They are still being made.” Verstappen explains that the lack of fast times is not something troubling for Scuderia Toro Rosso at this moment. “We are now doing a lot of laps. That is good. We are making good mileage, that is the most important thing: we need to get to understand the car.” What are crucial things you need to understand? “Like, when you have more horsepower, it means that you need to operate the engine differently.”
“The car feels good compared to last year. Of course, we are driving with a heavy fuel load to do the long runs. But it’s not too bad, we didn’t run into problems and we were able to do a great many of laps. Next week, we will be able to work more on the set up and can get a general impression of how the car will be in Melbourne.” Details on which parts are going to be introduced, is something Verstappen will not disclose: “Different things, everywhere a little bit”, is his political correct answer. So you are not worried about coming in last today? “No, by no means. If you strap on the softer compound, naturally you will go a second to a second and a half faster. Then everything changes, but we are not focusing on times this week.”
What is the plan for the coming two days? Drive a lot or collect data? Or maybe still to try and pick up the pace? “Not necessarily, we will be changing small things on the car, but apart from that, it is just making tracks and see if everything holds. That cost us a lot of points last year, so it is important for us to fix that for this season.”
Regarding the issues with the gearbox his team mate Sainz ran into on Monday, Verstappen answers short and decisively: “All resolved”.
