Mixed feelings for Max after Barcelona test

Published on 31 October 2013 by Niels Hendrix

On 21st October Max Verstappen had an important test when he could compare himself with other Formula Renault 2.0 drivers for the first time at the circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Previous tests were private, but in Barcelona there were 34 drivers, of whom many with experience in the Formula Renault 2.0 or other formula classes.

Max is immediately fast in the morning session and keeps posting competitive lap times in the KTR car. But he is not completely free from trouble: "I had some over steer and went off the track. The throttle stayed constantly open on ten percent. I went into the pitbox with this problem and couldn't drive the remainder of the morning session."
Despite the troubles Max finishes the session after 45 laps with an impressive third time (1:44.634s).

Fixing the problem with the throttle keeps Max in his pitbox for the first one and a half hour of the afternoon session. When he finally rejoins the track the balance of the car isn't perfect and he encounters traffic during his fast runs.
Max: "The car had under steer and in my fast laps I got traffic. And you have to post a fast lap in the first few laps on new tyres."

In the end Max completes 28 laps in the afternoon and 1:44.774s brings him to P12. Combining the two three hour sessions brings the eight position for Max, and a second place as a rookie. Despite the setbacks not bad at all!

Results (monday) of the collective Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup test in Barcelona:
Result morning session (3 hours)
Result afternoon session (3 hours)
Combined results test
Combined results rookie test

Niels Hendrix