Max Verstappen 'didn't need' a GP2 stint before Toro Rosso F1 move

The 17-year-old moved up to an F1 race seat with Toro Rosso after just one season of car racing in Formula 3, bypassing the higher championships of single-seater racing.

While Verstappen accepts there are lots of areas where he needs to build experience, he believes his pace so far this season has shown there was no need for him to spend more time in the junior categories.

"I've always made quite big steps in my life in terms of racing series, or even in go-karting," Verstappen told AUTOSPORT.

"In terms of speed, I didn't need to do a year in GP2 or whatever. It's just the experience you miss a little bit.

"In terms of qualifying, it's about experience in different conditions as I haven't driven the tracks as much as the other guys.

"That makes it a bit harder for me sometimes, compared to [team-mate] Carlos [Sainz] or other people.

"But I've learned a lot this year, I'm getting better and better all the time, and I also have a lot of potential."

Verstappen predicts that he will make a big step over the next few years as he matures and builds his experience.

"I'm 17 compared to other guys who are 21, 22, so I think I will only get better and better," he said.

"When I compare myself to when I was in karting, from when I was 13 through to 16 there was a massive improvement, and I think I can do the same [in F1].

"I am still very young, so my level will keep improving until a certain age. I have a lot of confidence I will keep improving.

"At the moment there are errors, but that's because I'm a rookie and I want to prove myself.

"But the more you settle in, the less mistakes you make and you get more comfortable."