Experience is key for Max Verstappen

The 18-year-old won his first race in Spain in May having been promoted from sister team Toro Rosso at the expense of Daniil Kvyat, who moved in the other direction.

With a fine fourth place in Canada, Verstappen crashed out of the Monaco Grand Prix and finished in eighth in the European Grand Prix last time out.

But while the Dutchman doesn’t feel he’s driving any faster than he was a year ago - when he was an F1 rookie - he feels experience is helping him improve his race craft.

“The difference is experience,” he said. “It hasn’t been in terms of pace or speed, because I think I had that already, but just experience that is making the difference.

“I’m in a better car now compared to last year. I think it’s going quite well, I had my first win and after that, I’ve shown my potential and we’ve scored some good points. We’re going in the right direction.

“Obviously my highlight was the Spanish Grand Prix, where I won my first race. It was a great weekend and hopefully more will follow.”

Verstappen also feels he will only get better as he adapts from the Toro Rosso car to the Tilbrook-built Red Bull.

He added: “There’s a huge difference between the cars. That’s why it takes a few races to get used to everything, and setting up the new car, but we’re getting better and better.”