NEWS HEADLINES FEATURES TECHNICAL INTERVIEWS FEEDS RACES RESULTS GALLERY TEAMS & DRIVERS INSIDE F1 LIVE TIMING VIDEO TICKETS F1 STORE APP Max Verstappen Q&A: I was in full 'safe' mode for debut run 03 Oct 2014 Share this article Max Verstappen made history at Suzuka on Friday morning when he became the youngest driver to participate in a Formula One Grand Prix weekend, deputising for Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne in FP1. Far from being overawed by the occasion, the 17-year-old said it took him just a handful of laps to start bedding in with the STR9 - adding that he finished 12th fastest despite focusing purely on gaining experience rather than chasing headline-grabbing lap times... Q: Your first taste of a 2014 Formula One car, and your first official Grand Prix session. How was it today? Max Verstappen: At the moment I'm really happy, I enjoyed it and I think that was the main thing today - just getting experience, driving around and getting used to an F1 car. Once I was driving I was enjoying it a lot. I was quite calm before I jumped in the car because for me the main thing was just to get used to the car - and that's what I did. Q: How long did it take you to acclimatise? The STR9 is obviously far more powerful than what you are used to in Formula Three... MV: It took me two or three laps to get used to it of course, because I have never driven here before and this was my first time in this type of car. But in a few laps you feel quite comfortable. It was quite alright - today was just getting used to the first bits of the car. At the end I managed quite well I think. Q: Did anything about the car surprise you? What were the main challenges? MV: The power and the engine really - that makes a lot of difference. But also the brakes, the steering - everything is completely different. The torque you have is quite a lot so you have to manage that with throttle application. I had to take some laps [to adjust] for that but I think at the end it wasn't not too bad. Q: How about the working environment - the attention to detail within the team? MV: Yeah, but I don't see that as a big change, it's just more people around you. I think it's always better to have that! Q: You ended the session 12th fastest, and within a few tenths of your future team mate Daniil Kvyat. How pleased are you with that? MV: Honestly my feeling was that I was not pushing at all. For the whole session I was driving safe - I didn't want to crash, I just wanted to make laps and that's what I did. I think I was straight away quite okay with the pace, but I was just getting used to the car. I was building up pace and confidence lap by lap. Step by step I am learning everything - and step by step you can push more. Q: So do you now feel ready for F1 racing? MV: Sure. I still need some time in the car to get used to it, but I still have some practices ahead so I'm looking forward to it. Of course [my confidence is higher now] because I did some laps so now I know more what the car is doing, when before I had no experience, so for sure it will be better and better. I'm getting there. Q: How about your engine issues - you seemed to deal with a smoking car very calmly... MW: I saw some smoke coming out [the rear of the car] and I know what's happening then! You can't change it anyway, so I just stopped the car and walked back. Q: And what about your father Jos? Was this a special moment for both of you? I think he was quite nervous and I was calm, so it was quite funny. We have done everything together, so if you accomplish something like this it's a great feeling. He has taught me a lot. Q: Will it be a bit of a relief to get away from the attention for a while, having now made your Grand Prix weekend debut? MV: I don't feel any pressure really. I'm quite relaxed - I don't worry about it. For tickets to 2014 FORMULA 1 races, click here. For FORMULA 1 merchandise, click here. Share SEARCH NEWS Search for... LATEST INTERVIEWS Jenson Button Q&A: There are always other options in life! Sebastian Vettel Q&A: No power unit penalty expected in Japan Max Verstappen Q&A: I was in full 'safe' mode for debut run NEWS FEEDS All latest News Latest Headlines Latest Features Latest Interviews LIVE TIMING VIDEO TICKETS F1 STORE APP LIVE TIMING VIDEO TICKETS F1 STORE MOBILE PRIVACY POLICY LEGAL NOTICES GUIDELINES CONTACTS MY DETAILS © 2003-2014 Formula One World Championship Limited Formula1.com uses cookies to help give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to browse this site you give consent for cookies to be used. To find out more about cookies and how to manage them, click here