Verstappen ‘hasn’t missed’ GP2

Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen claims that he didn't need to do a year in GP2 before making the leap into Formula 1.

The Dutchman moved straight from Formula 3 into F1 for this season, and he has impressed so far with a string of fine performances.

The 17-year-old claims that the only downside of missing out GP2, which acts as a feeder series into F1, is that he is unfamiliar with many tracks.

He told AUTOSPORT: "I've always made quite big steps in my life in terms of racing series, or even in go-karting. 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 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 is expected to struggle at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix as the lack of power in his Renault engine could be exposed on the long straights of Spa.

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