Max Verstappen has completed his maiden test of a Formula 1 car with the teenage driver cutting laps of the Adria circuit in northern Italy.
Verstappen, 16, the son of former grand prix driver Jos Verstappen, drove the 2012 STR7 at the 2.7km circuit located two hours drive from the Toro Rosso factory.
The teenager was named last month as Jean-Eric Vergne’s replacement at the Toro Rosso squad next year when he will partner 2014 rookie Daniil Kvyat.
On a damp track Verstappen circulated on intermediate tyres in the early going before switching to slicks.
After performing a series of short and long runs, Verstappen had logged a total of 148 laps for the day.
“I was looking forward to my first drive in a Formula 1 car on a proper race track and I really enjoyed it,” Verstappen said.
“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 said Verstappen had done a solid job in his first proper appearance in the car.
“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,” Nielsen 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.”