Max Verstappen's first on-track week of testing in Barcelona has come to an end, but the Dutchman isn't getting a break from the action.
The Red Bull driver drove the RB15 in Barcelona on Monday and Wednesday, setting the fourth and fifth fastest times respectively. However, following the conclusion of his testing duties on Wednesday, the 21-year-old flew back to Milton Keynes to work on Red Bull's simulator.
Verstappen's teammate Pierre Gasly handles driving duties on the final day of running, while the five-time Grand Prix winner works back at the team's factory. Verstappen flew back immediately after a meeting with his engineers, as they debriefed the day.
Verstappen will also work in the simulator on the week leading up to the Australian Grand Prix, which will open the 2019 season next month.
Speaking about his opening week of testing in Barcelona, Verstappen says he is pleased with how the team's relationship with Honda is working out.
"I'm just very happy with the way we're working together," said Verstappen. "It's all very focused, and calm. Everybody knows their job. So that's good.
"Talking about lap times is always difficult. For us what is important is to try to do a lot of laps and to do different set-ups on the car, to see which direction we have to go."
Replies (2)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
It sounds like they are really going for it .... can it be true that Honda has come up trumps ?
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Hope so Boudy, but that gap was immense in F1 terms - Merc and Ferrari haven't shown their true pace and won't until the first GP. I really want RBR to be in the mix, and pref one more team too - F1 has become a tad dull and we need to see new heroes challenging. Honda will come good, they always do, they are class - I just hope RBR appreciate there's a away to work with Japanese manufacturers, and that brash, arrogant comments from the pitfall won't work, simply won't work. RBR have a chance to retain some respect, which they lost big time in their handling of Renault (even though they were right !) - you can't buy class, you have to earn it.