Max third after Friday practice in Baku: 'We look quite decent'

Published on 10 June 2022 by Stefan Meens

After clocking the third fastest time of the opening practice session, Max Verstappen ended the second Friday practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix also in third place. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led the way in the streets of Baku, with Max’ Oracle Red Bull Racing team mate Sergio Perez splitting the Monegasque and Dutchman.

“Overall, it was not a bad day, we look quite decent, we just need to fine tune a few things. I was a bit unlucky with my soft tyre runs in FP1 and FP2, there were a few yellow flags, so I had to back out”, said Max after practice.

“It seems like Ferrari is quite quick over one lap again, the long runs look a bit more even so that’s positive. The tyres seem to be working well after one lap which is good for a street circuit. We tried to fix the DRS after FP1, it seemed to be alright in FP2. My long runs went well, I did a grand total of three laps”, laughed Max, before adding: “We should have enough info now to know how to play it with tyres this weekend.”

At the start of the afternoon session, it is busy out on track with all drivers lapping the Baku street circuit, bar the two Red Bulls. Max is still in the pits with his crew working hard on the RB18's rear wing, attempting to fix DRS issues that affected the reigning champion in FP1. Twelve minutes in, Max steers out of the garage for his first afternoon laps.

At the halfway mark, the picture that has been painted throughout the 2022 season is confirmed in FP2; Red Bull Racing and Ferrari are in a class of their own, occupying the first two rows. On this occassion, Fernando Alonso is best of the rest in his Alpine in P5.

With twenty minutes to go in the hour-long session, the drivers focus on qualifying simulations on the soft tyres. Max has to abort his first attempt to use the extra grip that the red side-walled tyres provide after Perez causes a yellow flag by missing the corner at turn fifteen. On the Dutchman’s second run, the Pirellis have already lost their peak performance meaning Max only manages a small improvement and thus remains in third place.

The closing stages of the session are used for race simulations, meaning lap times are not bettered and the top three remain the same in Leclerc, Perez and Max.

Contest GP Azerbaijan: win a by Max signed RBR Driver Cap 2022!

Results second free practice Azerbaijan: