FP2: Max thirteenth in hectic session
Published on 21 August 2015 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen finished the second free practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix in thirteenth. In a session marked by incidents, the Dutchman improved his car’s balance and collected valuable data ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying and the race on Sunday.
“In general, I was quite happy with the balance and overall we improved some things. Initially in FP1, we took it easy before improving near the end. In FP2, I didn’t have a lot of free laps. Nevertheless, I know how the car behaves and I know our pace can be much better. So let’s see if we can show our true speed tomorrow.”
As session gets underway, Max heads out on track with the aim to improve both the balance and traction of his STR10. In doing so, Max pushes the car and finds the limit. At Pouhon it appears the young Dutchman has gone over the limit but with an equal dose of skill and talent, he keeps the Toro Rosso on track.
“The higher temperatures make a difference. You have more oversteer and in terms of brakes and traction, you lose a bit. But in the end, the car felt good. The lap times might not show it, but we definitely improved”, explains Max.
Max was not the only driver on the limit. Both Fernando Alonso and Romain Grosjean have little excursions, with the Frenchman pleasing the cameras as he drifts through the Bus Stop Chicane. Both drivers can continue their session without much trouble.
The same cannot be said of Nico Rosberg and Marcus Ericsson. The German’s right rear tyre explodes going through Blanchimont, forcing his FP2 to an early end. Ericsson edges over the kerb stones at Pouhon launching the Sauber sideways into the tyres. The crash cuts short the Swede’s session.
In the remainder of the session, several minor incidents take place. Grosjean blocks Nico Hulkenberg, Felipe Nasr almost runs into Daniil Kvyat in the pits and Pastor Maldonando, after his car was repaired after a big shunt in FP1, has a harmless off at Stavelot. His team mate has the honour of closing the list of incidents when his car grinds to a halt at the back of track, highlighting Lotus’ miserable day.
Meanwhile, at the front, despite not being able to finish the session, Nico Rosberg tops the time table with Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat rounding out the top four. Max finishes Friday in P13, one spot behind team mate Carlos Sainz.
“It was a good day. I enjoy this track a lot and it’s always good to drive here, especially as it’s my first time in an F1 car. It is of course a lot more challenging than an F3 car”, concludes Max with a smile on his face.
Spa-Francorchamps - Belgian Grand Prix - Friday 21 August
RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 2 P No Driver Team Time Gap Laps 1 6 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:49.385 19 2 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:49.687 +0.302s 23 3 3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:50.136 +0.751s 15 4 26 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:50.399 +1.014s 18 5 7 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:50.461 +1.076s 23 6 27 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:50.461 +1.076s 21 7 8 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:50.489 +1.104s 21 8 9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:50.709 +1.324s 18 9 12 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1:50.928 +1.543s 24 10 5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:50.940 +1.555s 23 11 11 Sergio Perez Force India 1:50.971 +1.586s 21 12 55 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:51.037 +1.652s 24 13 33 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:51.117 +1.732s 25 14 77 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:51.250 +1.865s 25 15 13 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:51.317 +1.932s 16 16 19 Felipe Massa Williams 1:51.588 +2.203s 26 17 22 Jenson Button McLaren 1:51.854 +2.469s 16 18 14 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:52.570 +3.185s 14 19 28 Will Stevens Marussia 1:54.065 +4.680s 17 20 98 Roberto Merhi Marussia 1:54.253 +4.868s 14
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