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Max Verstappen has completed his first proper Formula 1 test, after completing a day's worth of running at Adria in Italy.
Verstappen, who briefly trialled a Red Bull RB8 at Rockingham before piloting it in Toro Rosso colours at a show run in Rotterdam recently, completed 148 laps of the circuit in an STR7 and racked up sufficient mileage to be granted an FIA Super License.
Toro Rosso say that overnight rain allowed the 16 year old Dutch racer to sample Intermediate tyres, before conditions improved sufficiently for slicks to be used. He consequently completed a mixture of short and long runs, as well as start procedures and pit stops.
"I was looking forward to my first drive in a Formula 1 car on a proper race track and I really enjoyed it," said Verstappen, who will race for Toro Rosso in 2015.
"It was a good opportunity to work with Xevi [Pujolar], who will be my race engineer next year, as well as having a chance to get used to all the buttons on the steering wheel. I think it went well and I can’t wait to get back into a Formula 1 car as soon as possible."
Toro Rosso sporting director Steve Nielsen was impressed by the youngster's ability.
"In his first real test in a Formula 1 car, Max did a very competent job, giving the impression he has been driving a Formula 1 car for quite a while, not like someone on their first day behind the wheel," he said.
"He made no mistakes all day, seemed confident and once he was told something he remembered it. In general, he coped very well with this first test."
Toro Rosso plans to give Verstappen practice runs across the final three races of the current campaign.
