Max quickest on first day of Styrian GP: 'It'll be close'

Published on 25 June 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen topped the leaderboards at the opening day of the Styrian Grand Prix. After being quickest in the morning practice session, the Red Bull Racing driver also clocked the fastest time in FP2. McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo was second, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.

“Lewis was quicker in FP2, but his lap time was deleted, so we know the reality is a little bit different than it seems”, explained Max after practice.

“In general, things went pretty well for us, but there are still a few things we need to look at. But for now I’m happy with the car. From the start I was pretty happy, but there are always things to improve and that’s the same for the second session; there are always things to work on and we’ll have a look tonight. But generally speaking, it was positive.”

Looking ahead to qualifying, Max said: “We’ll have to see what the weather does, but it’s going to be close.”

Prior to the afternoon practice session, Alpha Tauri announce that due to power-unit issues, Pierre Gasly will not take part in FP2.

When the session gets underway, the drivers are keen to get the laps in on a dry track, as there is an 80% chance of rain during the practice.

Max heads out for his first run and is immediately on the pace by setting the quickest lap thus far. He does so on the hard Pirelli tyre. Meanwhile, a couple of drivers, notably Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Max’ Red Bull Racing team mate Sergio Perez, report rain.

Although rain drops are noticeable, it is not enough to trouble the drivers and force them to switch to an intermediate or wet weather tyre.

Nevertheless, the track appears to be challenging; Sainz causes a yellow flag after spinning his Ferrari and Max and Hamilton both run out of road at turn three.

Twenty minutes in, it is time for qualifying simulations. The Aston Martins of Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel kick things off on the soft Pirelli tyres, before Hamilton and Ocon take over with their flying laps.

When Max bolts on the softs, he manages P2 in between Hamilton and Ocon. Soon after, the Dutchman is promoted to first; Hamilton’s lap time is deleted after a track limit infringement.

From the halfway point of the session onward, the teams shift their focus to long runs in preparation for Sunday’s race. Apart from a pitlane spin for Valtteri Bottas and some sporadic rain drops, the second half of the session passes by uneventful with lap times not being bettered because of the longer stints.

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Results second free practice Styria: