Impressive start for Red Bull's Max Verstappen in Spanish GP practice

Max Verstappen made an impressive start to his Red Bull career in Friday practice at Barcelona - but was still beaten by Daniel Ricciardo in both sessions.

Driving the RB12 car for the first time, Verstappen's fastest time was within two tenths of Ricciardo's best - a commendable effort in machinery that remains unfamiliar to the Dutch teenager despite intensive running in the Red Bull simulator since his sudden promotion a week ago.

By contrast, Daniil Kvyat, who lost his seat to Verstappen at Red Bull, was over a second shy of Carlos Sainz's outstanding effort as the young Spaniard wrestled his Toro Rosso car to fifth - just ahead of Ricciardo.

"I'm happy - for the first day I can't complain," said Verstappen. "I am still learning a lot about the car of course, but it's getting better and better all the time. We did a lot of work, a lot of laps and I think that's the most important thing for me at the moment.

"It's completely different, the seat position, the steering wheel position the switches, the procedures. But I think it was a very good day for me today."

Verstappen was also within a tenth of Ricciardo during Practice One, prompting team boss Christian Horner to enthuse: "He has done remarkably well, his first flying lap in the car was very impressive.

"He's settled in, but what I think it demonstrates as well is that the simulators are so good these days the guys turn up here pretty well prepared."

In full: Christian Horner Q&A

According to Horner, the Verstappen-Ricciardo partnership has the potential to become the best in F1.

"You can see he is pretty special, he came into Formula 1 last year and had a sensational first year and has carried that momentum into this year," the Red Bull boss added of his new charge.

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Watching from trackside, Sky F1 analyst Martin Brundle added: "For a teenager, his confidence is extraordinary. His first flying lap was immediately on the pace and he was right in there at the end of the session with Daniel Ricciardo. It's no surprise because that's how good he is.

"Daniel probably thought that he had Daniil Kvyat well covered and even if he is in the form of his life he will have one eye on this young tornado who has joined the team."

Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV.