Dennis refutes popular Verstappen, Red Bull claim over RB19

Red Bull development driver Jake Dennis has rubbished the claims that Red Bull designs its cars around Max Verstappen.

The current Formula E World Champion got a taste of the F1 machinery during FP1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the 16th quickest time ahead of fellow rookie Isack Hadjar.

Dennis described driving Verstappen's car as "mind-blowing" having been the only driver other than the Dutchman to take to the wheel of the dominant RB19 this year.

"Honestly, just jumping in the car today - obviously I don't drive F1 cars I do a lot of simulator work - but you jump in this car and it just feels completely natural," Dennis told F1 TV.

Dennis: It felt like how a racing car should

Dennis made one observation when driving the car, amid claims that Red Bull creates each of its cars specifically to suit the style of Verstappen.

"I don't agree when people say 'Are the cars designed for Max?' I jumped in that thing today and it felt exactly like how a race car should," said Dennis.

"It does what you want it to do, it turns the way it should turn. I think people who are often skeptical to jump to conclusions of 'This car is purely made for Max' - it's really not the case.

"Any team goes out there to build the fastest race car possible and it's up to the driver to adjust to that. And I think that's exactly what Red Bull have done and Max, obviously the talent he is, has done that."