Max eighth after FP2 at Red Bull Ring: 'We had a good day'

Published on 03 July 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the first day of 2020 first Grand Prix in eight place. After clocking the third quickest lap in FP1, the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver managed P8 in the second free practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was quickest around the Red Bull Ring, followed by Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) completed the top three.

“We had a good day”, Max said after his first day back in the RB16 since the Barcelona winter tests in February. “After a couple of laps, I was back in the rhythm. We were able to complete a lot of laps so that’s positive. The laptimes don’t mean much, also because I broke my front wing on my fastest lap. We’re confident and we can always improve. Generally, it was a good day and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”

Free practice two takes place in dry conditions. Romain Grosjean is the first driver to leave the garage. The Haas driver is keen to make up for lost time after a brake problem in FP1.

Both Aston Martin Red Bull Racing drivers are among the last to hit the track. When Max ventures out, he does so on the medium Pirellis. After a flying lap, Max is quickest.

A quiet period follows with only Lewis Hamilton and Esteban Ocon (Renault) lapping the Red Bull Ring. Both use the medium tyre. Initially it looks like Hamilton struggles to match the pace set by Max. However, eventually the reigning world champion sets a lap time that is two tenths quicker than the Dutchman’s best effort thus far.

From that moment, the top ten changes rapidly. First Perez heads the timing sheets, before Bottas takes over and Sebastian Vettel enters the top three in his Ferrari.

Meanwhile, Max is back on track, this time on the soft Pirelli tyres. His first flying lap on fresh rubber lifts him to P6, after which he returns to the pits.

Shortly after, Kimi Raikkonen causes a yellow flag after going off track at turn six. After a short drive through the gravel, the Alfa Romeo driver finds his way back to the track without any damage.

With half an hour left on the clock, Max is back out on track, sporting a set of used softs. Similar to Raikkonen, he takes to the gravel in turn 6. Like the Finn, the Dutchman makes it out of the gravel unscathed.

Moments later, Red Bull Racing team mate, Alex Albon, spins on the exit of turn one, a popular spot for spins during Friday practice.

In the closing stages, both Max and Albon switch to the medium compound to continue their race simulations.

Valtteri Bottas, also conducting a race simulation, notifies the team of an issue with his gearbox. Mercedes do not take risks and call the Finn in, marking the end of the session.

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Results second free practice Austria: