Max fourth in FP4: "Balance feels good"
Published on 25 August 2017 by Stefan Meens
After a fourth place in FP1, Max Verstappen again clocked the fourth fastest lap in the second free practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix. The session, which started in bright sunshine but ended in the pouring rain, saw Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the pace, followed by Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
“Today went pretty well. The balance of the car was fine. Of course, things could always be better, but we’re not far off. We’re still losing too much time on the straights, as you can see in the first and second sectors”, explains Max. “That’s why Daniel tried a different philosophy. We’re looking for a good compromise, because it’s difficult for us to go fast on the straights and the corners. It’s not easy.”
Looking ahead of qualifying, Max is realistic: “Normally we’re the third team, because the first two can up their power. And it looks like it’s going to be dry so we’ll probably be fifth or sixth. I hope for rain, which would be better or us. It doesn’t look like it, but you never know here at Spa.”
Regardless, Max is delighted with all the support from his home fans. “It’s very motivating to see so many fans and see so much orange. On Saturday and Sunday, it’s going to be even more amazing!”
The session starts in sunshine and sees Max head out for a five lap stint on the super-softs, clocking a 1:46.4. In his second run, on a new set of Pirellis, he sets his fastest lap of the session, a 1 45:225.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing team mate Daniel Ricciardo tries a different set-up. He is quicker in the first and third sector, but loses a lot of time in the second sector where downforce plays a huge role. Max, however, is fast in that second sector. By splitting set-ups, the team is hoping to find the right compromise set-up wise.
With three quarters of an hour to go, Max heads out on a set of used super-softs, but is unable to improve on his lap time before the rain finally arrives and only a few drivers dare to venture out.
Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps - Friday 25 August
FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS 01 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:44.753 17 02 7 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:45.015 +0.262s 21 03 77 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:45.180 +0.427s 17 04 33 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:45.225 +0.472s 16 05 5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:45.235 +0.482s 20 06 3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:46.072 +1.319s 15 07 27 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:46.441 +1.688s 24 08 31 Esteban Ocon Force India Mercedes 1:46.473 +1.720s 19 09 55 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:46.561 +1.808s 19 10 30 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1:46.670 +1.917s 23 11 14 Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda 1:46.743 +1.990s 20 12 11 Sergio Perez Force India Mercedes 1:46.984 +2.231s 18 13 8 Romain Grosjean Haas Ferrari 1:47.285 +2.532s 15 14 2 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren Honda 1:47.303 +2.550s 17 15 26 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:47.450 +2.697s 12 16 20 Kevin Magnussen Haas Ferrari 1:47.556 +2.803s 15 17 18 Lance Stroll Williams Mercedes 1:47.861 +3.108s 13 18 9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber Ferrari 1:49.214 +4.461s 12 19 94 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber Ferrari 1:49.725 +4.972s 18
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