Max quickest after Friday practice at Spa: 'Car feels good'

Published on 26 August 2022 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the quickest time in Friday practice after topping the timing sheets in FP2. The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver was quickest around Spa-Francorchamps ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris.

“I was happy with the car today. As soon as I got out on track, the car worked well. We only fine-tuned the balance so that was positive”, reflected Max, who will start Sunday’s Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty.

Friday practice finished with rain in the latter stages of FP2. “When it started raining, I couldn’t push. Of course, I would’ve wanted to do more laps, everybody wants that. But so far so good. Today meant to be the worst day weatherwise, so we should have dry conditions for the remainder of the weekend.”

At the start of the second free practice session, it is damp on track, but not enough to warrant the intermediate or full-wet Pirellis. Instead, the drivers venture out and tentatively make their way around the iconic Spa circuit on slicks.

Slowly but gradually the lap times tumble, with Max consistently at the sharp end. After Sainz sets the pace earlier on, Max finds a rhythm on the soft tyres and clocks the fastest lap of the day (1:45.507).

At the halfway point, Max leads ahead of Leclerc, Norris, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Sainz. With the teams now switching their attention to the long runs ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix, Max’ fastest lap remains the quickest of the day.

Like in FP1, rain appears in the final quarter and prevents the drivers from bettering their lap times. Apart from a few drivers slipping and sliding, the session ends with only a handful of cars lapping the circuit in the Ardennes Forrest, meaning Max Verstappen ends the day quickest.

Contest Belgian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed RBR winner cap! 

Results second free practice Belgium: