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Max third fastest in Spa FP1

Published on 30 August 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the third quickest time in the first official session after the Formula 1 summer break. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was quickest during free practice 1, followed by his team mate Sebastian Vettel. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s new driver, Alex Albon, finished fourth fastest.

At the start of the session, Max heads out for an installation lap before returning to the team. His fans have to wait a further 25 minutes to see the Dutchman back out on the circuit. When he eventually ventures out, he does so on a set of the soft Pirelli tyre compound.

In the meantime, fifteen minutes into FP1, Lando Norris (McLaren) and the two Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton leave the pits for the first timed laps. “I lost power” is the radio message Hamilton has for the team, explaining why he does not complete his flying lap. Instead, the world champion drives slowly back to the pits.

At the half hour mark, a virtual safety car is called after the engine cover of Lance Stroll’s Racing Point has blown across the Kemmel straight, resulting in debris on track.

As soon as the track is cleared, Max clocks a 1:45.803. It will be his fastest lap of the morning and propels him to P1 for the time being.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are still struggling. A telemetry issue forces the world champion back into the pits with 30 mins on the clock.

Alex Albon, driving the RB15 for the first time, appears to settle in well. The rookie’s fastest lap is only two tenths of his team mate, Max.

In the final third, Ferrari show they will be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the weekend, with Leclerc and Vettel topping the timing charts. The Red Bulls follow in third and fourth place ahead of the two Mercedes. The latter outfit has not shown its hand as both drivers set their quickest laps on the medium Pirelli compound.

In the closing stages, Max heads out on a set of used soft Pirellis. Judging by his lap times, he is not pushing the car yet and, like most drivers, the youngster does not better his fastest effort set earlier in the session.

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Results first free practice Belgium:

posdriverteamtimegaplaps
1Sebastian VettelVETFerrari1:44.574 20
2Charles LeclercLECFerrari1:44.788+0.214s20
3Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing Honda1:45.507+0.933s18
4Alexander AlbonALBRed Bull Racing Honda1:45.584+1.010s19
5Valtteri BottasBOTMercedes1:45.882+1.308s25
6Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:45.973+1.399s16
7Lance StrollSTRRacing Point BWT Mercedes1:46.198+1.624s16
8Daniel RicciardoRICRenault1:46.426+1.852s23
9Sergio PerezPERRacing Point BWT Mercedes1:46.433+1.859s22
10Carlos SainzSAIMcLaren Renault1:46.557+1.983s20
11Nico HulkenbergHULRenault1:46.669+2.095s23
12Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Renault1:46.670+2.096s19
13Kimi RäikkönenRAIAlfa Romeo Racing Ferrari1:47.024+2.450s20
14Romain GrosjeanGROHaas Ferrari1:47.176+2.602s18
15Antonio GiovinazziGIOAlfa Romeo Racing Ferrari1:47.333+2.759s22
16Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:47.488+2.914s21
17Daniil KvyatKVYScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:47.636+3.062s20
18Pierre GaslyGASScuderia Toro Rosso Honda1:47.968+3.394s26
19Nicholas LatifiLATWilliams Mercedes1:48.784+4.210s24
20Robert KubicaKUBWilliams Mercedes1:48.966+4.392s24