Max: I’m a driver, not a magician

Preparing for his debut season in Formula 1, Max Verstappen says his first aim is to finish grands prix after which he’ll be chasing points.

The Dutchman will make his debut this season with Toro Rosso, the youngest driver on the 2015 grid.

At just 17 years of age, the pressure is firmly on the rookie’s shoulders however he is not letting it get to him.

“I’m a driver, not a magician,” he told De Telegraaf.

“You only have one chance to make a first impression, it must be a good one.

“In the beginning that mainly involves finishing and keeping the car but that applies to all drivers. Nobody wants to make a false start.

“It will not all be perfect at the beginning but I’m in the car to perform.

“Gradually in the season I will learn a lot – also outside the car. But the most important thing is that you open the throttle on the track.”

The 17-year-old has vowed not to fear the sport’s biggest names, saying he’ll racing everyone the same irrespective of who they are.

“I do not care who I’m racing, on the racetrack everyone is the same. If Alonso is behind me, I will race him just as hard as any another.

He did, however, add that he has to “earn my place as a newcomer but you do that by being quick and not making stupid mistakes.”

As for his goals for 2015, the Dutchman says he wants “World Championship points, lots of overtaking and few errors.

But in the long term, the “World Champion remains a driver or rather an ambition. But first I must do well at Toro Rosso and get the chance to go higher.”