Max Verstappen completes 130 laps behind the wheel of the STR10 at Barcelona

Three quarters of the way through the second winter test, the first at Barcelona, and Max Verstappen was back behind the wheel of the STR10. That’s the end of the Dutchman’s cockpit time until next week now, as Carlos Sainz drives tomorrow, the final day.

Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, 4.655 kms
Driver: Max Verstappen
Car: STR10 - 02
Laps: 130
Best time: 1:24.739

Phil Charles (Chief Race Engineer): “A very interesting and useful day, with much fewer problems than yesterday, which is why Max completed more laps than any of the other drivers. Second fastest? We are not looking at lap times yet, but that was just the natural result of running the Supersoft Pirelli. In fact we worked with many different tyre types today, which was useful for Max. He did a mix of short and long runs and practiced various race procedures that are new to him, including “lift off,” the technique for saving fuel during periods of a Grand Prix. He also had plenty of pit stop practice and that’s what caused him to stop just before the end of the day, as the clutch had had enough. It was a case of having worn the car out with all that work rather than a technical problem. Hopefully, Carlos can have an equally productive day tomorrow.”

Max Verstappen (Car 33): “A good session and the first time I’ve done over a hundred laps in a single day. We got through a lot of items on the job sheet, with some faster runs in the morning. The car felt really good and it seems we are improving the car step by step. Compared to after the first test in Jerez, I feel more confident and more comfortable with the car, as I start to learn about every aspect of the job. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the engineers can come up with for the final test here next week.”

Scuderia Toro Rosso