Red Bull F1 recruit Verstappen not yet on the limit in new car

The Dutch teenager ended the day eighth fastest after the soft-tyre runs in FP2, while his new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was sixth and Carlos Sainz Jr headed them both for Toro Rosso in fifth.

"I'm still getting used to the car," said Verstappen on Friday afternoon.

"I don't know the full limits of the car yet. You can explain it more when you are on the limit.

"We will try to [find the limit on Saturday]. It's not frustrating, it's just getting used to it.

"If I have a good feeling I will do my best, and from there on we will see what happens.

"I'm still learning a lot about the car, and it's getting better and better all the time."

Verstappen said one of the biggest things to adapt to is the cockpit of the Red Bull compared to its sister team.

"The seat position is completely different and the functions on the steering wheel - that is a really big difference," he added.

"We're working on it and it's getting better, all the procedures.

"It's not about laptimes. I am enjoying it, that's the most important thing."

Verstappen believes "it's not up to me" to beat Ricciardo this weekend, and he praised Renault for the improvements it has made to its engine compared to the unit he used at Toro Rosso last year.

"Definitely they made a big step," he said. "Also in terms of reliability everything is going well, so I am happy with the engine.

"I'm happy for the first day, I can't complain.

"We did a lot of work, a lot of laps, and that is the most important thing at the moment."