Toro Rosso praises Max Verstappen for Adria F1 test performance

Toro Rosso has praised new signing Max Verstappen for the job he did in his first proper test for his new squad at Adria on Wednesday

The Dutch teenager completed 148 laps of the 1.7-mile Italian circuit, comfortably racking up the necessary mileage to qualify for a Formula 1 superlicence in one of Toro Rosso's 2012 STR7s.

The 16-year-old's first runs were completed on intermediate tyres on a damp track, but conditions improved enough for the Dutchman to switch to slicks later on.

He drove a mixture of a long and short runs and also practiced race pitstops and starts.

Xevi Pujolar, who will be Verstappen's race engineer for his rookie campaign next season, said: "He was very focused and precise and learned quickly, without having to ask many questions.

"Once we were able to fit slicks, he got used to the car in the dry and built up his speed, while we tried various fuel levels, replicating both qualifying and race trim.

"For a first day, it was very impressive."

The team's sporting director Steve Nielsen added: "Max did a very competent job, giving the impression he has been driving a Formula 1 car for quite a while, not like someone on their first day behind the wheel.

"He made no mistakes all day, seemed confident, and once he was told something he remembered it.

"In general, he coped very well."

Verstappen is expected to make his free practice debut for the team before this season is through, as well as taking part in the post-season collective test in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking about his Adria test, Verstappen said: "I was looking forward to my first drive in a Formula 1 car on a proper race track and I really enjoyed it.

"It was a good opportunity to work with Xevi, who will be my race engineer next year, as well as having a chance to get used to all the buttons on the steering wheel.

"I think it went well and I can't wait to get back into a Formula 1 car as soon as possible."