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One year ago, the Scuderia Toro Rosso was getting ready to give Russian Daniil Kvyat his first taste of Formula 1. This time, it's Max Verstappen's turn.
Friday, Verstappen, who as Sebastian Vettel mentioned in today's FIA conference, isn't old enough to drive himself to the circuit, will take over Jean-Eric Vergne's Renault-powered STR9 for the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.
In an article posted on its official web site, Roro Rosso says there will be no pressure from the team for the 17-year-old to chase lap times, instead he will be expected to enjoy the experience.
Max Verstappen, son of former F1 driver Jos, has had a busy time preparing for his F1 weekend debut, including taking the FIA neurometric test, which all drivers have to provide, in order to establish a baseline of their brain activity that the medical team can refer to.
He also has to do the extraction test, where he will need to prove he can get himself out of the STR9 cockpit within five seconds, refitting the steering wheel within a total of 10.
Max and his engineers walked the track on Wednesday and he will be doing it again later today, Thursday.
"It's a truly beautiful track," he said after seeing it at first hand for the first time. It looks interesting and it's certainly not the easiest track to begin at. However, I didn't travel to Suzuka to break lap records but to gain as much experience as I can. So I'm looking forward to Friday."
Max Verstappen is not planning to stick around much after his 90 minutes of driving: he is flying back to Europe on Saturday as he has to take part in a Formula 3 test at Imola early next week, followed by a race at the Italian track next weekend.
He will also fit in another F3 race at Hockenheim before flying out to Austin, for his second taste of the world of Formula 1 at the Circuit of the Americas.
Friday, Verstappen, who as Sebastian Vettel mentioned in today's FIA conference, isn't old enough to drive himself to the circuit, will take over Jean-Eric Vergne's Renault-powered STR9 for the first free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.
 |
| Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso (Photo: Getty Images/Red Bull) |
In an article posted on its official web site, Roro Rosso says there will be no pressure from the team for the 17-year-old to chase lap times, instead he will be expected to enjoy the experience.
Max Verstappen, son of former F1 driver Jos, has had a busy time preparing for his F1 weekend debut, including taking the FIA neurometric test, which all drivers have to provide, in order to establish a baseline of their brain activity that the medical team can refer to.
He also has to do the extraction test, where he will need to prove he can get himself out of the STR9 cockpit within five seconds, refitting the steering wheel within a total of 10.
 |
| Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso (Photo: Getty Images/Red Bull) |
Max and his engineers walked the track on Wednesday and he will be doing it again later today, Thursday.
"It's a truly beautiful track," he said after seeing it at first hand for the first time. It looks interesting and it's certainly not the easiest track to begin at. However, I didn't travel to Suzuka to break lap records but to gain as much experience as I can. So I'm looking forward to Friday."
Max Verstappen is not planning to stick around much after his 90 minutes of driving: he is flying back to Europe on Saturday as he has to take part in a Formula 3 test at Imola early next week, followed by a race at the Italian track next weekend.
He will also fit in another F3 race at Hockenheim before flying out to Austin, for his second taste of the world of Formula 1 at the Circuit of the Americas.