Spanish GP: Max Verstappen's Red Bull debut, Kvyat pulling a ‘Maldonado’ and more

The Spanish Grand Prix this weekend will see Dutch teenager Max Verstappen drive in his first race for Red Bull Racing. At just 17 years and 166 days of age, he was the youngest driver to start a Grand Prix in Australia in 2015 and now he will be making his debut for Red Bull replacing Russian Daniil Kvyat who has been demoted and will revert to his seat at Toro Rosso. [caption id=“attachment_2780200” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Max Verstappen. AP[/caption] Can Verstappen manage a podium on his debut? And can we get a little optimistic and hope for a win (after all, the statistics are in his favour)! After his Pastor Maldonado-like move in Russia, can Danii Kvyat pull off a “Maldonado” again in Spain? That would mean winning the race — because Maldonado was a race winner here in 2012. What sweet revenge that would be! Of course, Verstappen faces a host of challenges on his debut — but his biggest test is when he and Kvyat face the media together  on Thursday. The FIA certainly has a sense of humour. If Renault too had a sense of humour, maybe they would give Kevin Magnusen one of their new Renault trucks instead of a regular road car. McLaren is doing their bit of social service for Formula One — they have an exclusive agreement with Honda. This will ensure no one else suffers a Honda engine like them! Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz is patiently waiting for his turn for a promotion to Red Bull Racing (what else can he do). It’s likely that Sainz’s shot at a promotion will come only when Ricciardo or Verstappen move to Ferrari. Where would that leave Kimi Raikkonon? Perhaps he is well suited to act as Formula 1’s relationship manager with Vladamir Putin (in vodka we trust). Lewis Hamilton has been racing against young karting drivers at the Barbados Festival of Speed — is he gearing up to take on a young Verstappen? Tune in for the podcast about all this and more ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix: