Max third in FP2: "Happy with today"

Published on 16 September 2016 by Stefan Meens

After starting the Singapore Grand Prix weekend with P1 in the first free practice session, Max Verstappen finished FP2 in third. Nico Rosberg topped the leader boards, with Kimi Raikkonen setting the second quickest time of the session.

“We're happy with today”, said Max to Verstappen.nl. “I'm looking forward to tomorrow because I think we can further improve the balance. Mercedes is still very strong but perhaps we can challenge for pole position. Besides Monaco, this our best chance for a race win.”

Ten minutes into the second session of the weekend, Max heads out for his first run. Both team mate Ricciardo and Max set their opening times on a set of the super-soft Pirellis. They are not alone as most top teams opt not to run the fastest compound (ultra-soft) in the opening half an hour.

Once the front runners do bolt on the ultra-softs, Nico Rosberg put Mercedes back on top, followed by the two Ferraris. Max, however, manages to squeeze past Sebastian Vettel, to claim third.

Daniel Ricciardo, who after a brush with the wall spend some time in the pits, eventually managed the fourth quickest time. Rosberg's Mercedes colleague Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult session. His FP2 ended earlier than expected with technical issues, meaning the world champion was unable to better his time. He ended the session in seventh.

Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit - Friday 18 September

RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 2

01  6 Nico Rosberg        Mercedes                    1:44.152             34
02  7 Kimi Raikkonen      Ferrari                     1:44.427   +0.275s   34
03 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:44.532   +0.380s   29
04  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:44.557   +0.405s   26
05  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:45.161   +1.009s   33
06 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Force India Mercedes        1:45.182   +1.030s   35
07 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:45.275   +1.123s   10
08 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:45.507   +1.355s   33
09 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:45.779   +1.627s   30
10 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:46.029   +1.877s   35
11 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:46.063   +1.911s   26
12 22 Jenson Button       McLaren Honda               1:46.574   +2.422s   30
13 21 Esteban Gutierrez   Haas Ferrari                1:46.727   +2.575s   36
14 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:46.856   +2.704s   30
15 77 Valtteri Bottas     Williams Mercedes           1:46.960   +2.808s   30
16 20 Kevin Magnussen     Renault                     1:47.161   +3.009s   30
17 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:47.166   +3.014s   34
18 12 Felipe Nasr         Sauber Ferrari              1:47.531   +3.379s   29
19  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:48.391   +4.239s   12
20  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:48.487   +4.335s   32
21 94 Pascal Wehrlein     MRT Mercedes                1:48.505   +4.353s   33
22 31 Esteban Ocon        MRT Mercedes                1:48.823   +4.671s   29 

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