Verstappen: It was an incredible feeling

Max Verstappen’s promotion to the Red Bull team, from Toro Rosso at around this time last year, was one of those seismic events that strike a sport from time to time.

The teenage prodigy then went on to thank his employees in the best way possible: a famous victory in his debut race and since then Verstappen has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the sport – and a name which will be around for a very long time at the pinnacle of the sport.

Speaking ahead of this year’s edition of the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen recalled, “Around this time last year I got the call to join Red Bull Racing, which was a great feeling, and then when it got announced everything happened really fast.”

“I spent a lot of time in the factory getting prepared in the simulator in order to get used to the car. A lot of media attention, but I wasn’t really nervous, just happy that I was finally driving for a top team.”

“Last year was such a special race to me and in the end we managed to pull it off. It was an incredible feeling once I passed the finish line, especially in your first race with a new team.”

Indeed few would have predicted the victory he scored on that day in Barcelona, but this year it is even a long shot for the young Dutchman as Red Bull are lagging well behind the pace setters: Ferrari and Mercedes.

However a raft of upgrades for the STR13 are on the cards which the energy drinks team is hoping will see them close the gap and provide a weapon for their talented drivers to challenge at the front once again.

But Verstappen is remaining cautious about making any predictions, “We have to wait and see what the updates will bring. I hope we can be a bit closer to the top teams or that we can at least follow them. That would already be a good step forward.”

Verstappen lies fifth in the points standings after four rounds in the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship.

Here is the GPI edition of the historic 2016 Spanish Grand Prix weekend:

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