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, Verstappens fastest time was within two tenths of Ricciardos 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 Sainzs outstanding effort as the young Spaniard wrestled his Toro Rosso car to fifth - just ahead of Ricciardo. Im happy - for the first day I cant complain, said Verstappen. I am still learning a lot about the car of course, but its getting better and better all the time. We did a lot of work, a lot of laps and I think thats the most important thing for me at the moment.Its 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. How the Red Bull swappers compared in Spanish GP Friday practice Driver Team Time to leader Position Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso +1.209 5th Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull +1.272 6th Max Verstappen Red Bull +1.453 8th Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso +2.453 15th 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.Hes 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&AAccording 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. Vote: The best line-up in F1 Lewis and Nico? Max and Daniel? Fernando and Jenson? Or Seb and Kimi? 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. Its no surprise because thats 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. Also See: Sainz stars in Barca practice Christian Horner Q&A Danny Ainge Celtics Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Robert Parish Celtics Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.authenticcelticsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Red-Auerbach-Celtics-Jersey/ .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Bob Cousy Celtics Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Custom Boston Celtics Jerseys . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. An email Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby sent late last month to the president of the University of Houston says the conference has finalized our procedures for consideration of potential new members.The email was first reported by ESPN on Thursday and later obtained by The Associated Press.The Big 12 announced July 19 that its presidents had authorized Bowlsby to begin evaluating schools for possible expansion of the 10-team conference by two or four members. The conference has not commented publicly on its plans nor has it committed to adding schools.In an email dated July 26 from Bowlsby to University of Houston President Renu Khator, the commissioner wrote: We have finalized our procedures for consideration of potential Big 12 Conference members and, pursuant to your email of last week, I am writing to inform you of the process.Bowlsby asked in the email that Khator provide a very brief communication indicating your interest in being considered. Bowlby writes that it is not necessary to send supporting information or materials and to send the letter to his attention care of Kansas City, Missouri, based attorney Kevin Sweeney of Polsinelli.Mr. Sweeney will follow up with your GC to provide instructions and to coordinate future steps, Bowlsby writes. Thanks for your interest in the Big 12 Conference.That there has beenn communication between the Big 12 and Houston is not surprising.dddddddddddd The school is a member of the American Athletic Conference, but has made it clear it aspires to be in a Power Five conference. Since the Big 12 revealed that it is looking into expansion, the University of Texas and Texas Tech have public supported considering Houston. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott went even further, saying Big 12 expansion must include Houston.Among the other schools that have been maneuvering to be considered by the Big 12 are BYU, Cincinnati, Central Florida, Memphis, Connecticut, East Carolina, Boise State and Colorado State.Bowlsby has put no timetable on the Big 12s decision, though he has said the conference would like to move quickly and not interfere with the football season. The presidents meet again in early October.Iowa State President Steven Leath told the Iowa State Daily student newspaper on Wednesday that he expects the Big 12 to expand.Were spending a lot of time and money to that end, so I suspect thats where were going to end up, Leath told the newspaper. Leath added that he expected the process to play out between now and Christmas.---Follow Ralph D. 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