Verstappen plays down damage from opening session

Max Verstappen had a successful day of testing on Thursday but the opening session of Friday was nowhere near as smooth. The Dutchman hit the curbstones and was therefore in the pits for some time for repairs.

The blow on the curbs led to something breaking off of the anti-roll bar at the back. This mechanism guarantees the rigidity of the car so it was not appropriate to continue driving at that time.

Speaking to the press after the opening session of the day the Red Bull driver explained the loss of time wasn't too much concern.

"We wanted to change some things about the car anyway, and there was a red flag at the time, so we lost very little time," Verstappen explained to the press.

"Well, there was just a wheel in the air. So yes, you will, of course, notice that. But that repair allowed us to make a few other adjustments to the car right away, so it worked out well somewhere."

Verstappen was still able to put in a shift of 84 laps, more than anyone else, so the repairs appear to have done little long term damage if any at all.