05/05/2016
NEWS STORY
Max Verstappen has admitted that his promotion to the Red Bull team presents "an amazing opportunity".
Whilst debate continues as to whether the decision to swap the Dutch teenage sensation with Daniil Kvyat was more about the Russian's disappointing weekend in Sochi or part of a longer game, Verstappen took to his own website.
"The next step in my relatively short career so far, is an amazing opportunity," he said. "I really want to thank Red Bull Racing and Dr. Helmut Marko for the confidence they have in me.
"I'll have the chance to learn a lot from the top team that is Red Bull Racing," he continued. "I'm also looking forward to work with an experienced and proven team mate like Daniel Ricciardo."
"I can't thank all the people at Scuderia Toro Rosso enough for all their hard work. Everyone back at the factory in Faenza, and Franz Tost in particular, have made an amazing contribution to get me this far in my career. We've had an amazing time together."
"Together with Red Bull Racing we'll do everything to prepare me as best as possible for my first laps in the RB12 Tag Heuer, next week in Barcelona. I cannot wait for that special moment to happen."
The youngster will have a seat fitting in Milton Keynes over the next couple of days at which time he will meet his new team members as well as acquaint himself with the RB12 in the simulator before heading off to Barcelona for his first Grand Prix with Red Bull.
As the dust clears following the move, many believe that Red Bull, under the guidance of Marko, saw Kvyat's Sochi nightmare as the perfect opportunity to promote Verstappen at a time a number of leading teams are making no secret of the desire to talk to him.
Indeed, whilst the dropping of Kvyat after one poor weekend is seen as harsh, it should be noted that unlike previous victims of the Marko axe the Russian has at least been retained, albeit by the sister team.