Max third after opening day in Jeddah: 'It went well'

Published on 07 March 2024 by Stefan Meens

After being quickest in the opening practice session of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Max Verstappen finished Thursday’s FP2 in third place. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) was quickest with the Mercedes of George Russell splitting the Spaniard and the Dutch Oracle Red Bull Racing driver.

“In general, it went well”, said Max after free practice at the Jeddah Street Circuit. “They prepared the track well because it wasn’t that dirty. The pace was good, and we learned a lot.”

The winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix a week ago added: “There are always things to improve, like the pace over one lap. I also think the others are using more power, like in Bahrain. But I’m pretty happy with the long runs. Maybe others are a little bit quicker over one lap, but our car really comes alive on a long run.”

The start of FP2 is delayed by ten minutes due to a loose drain cover in front of one of the pit boxes. The issue forces race control to check all the drain covers before the session can get underway. Red Bull Racing are off to a swift start with both Max and Perez setting the pace on the medium Pirelli compound on their first timed efforts.

For his next run, Max heads back out on track on a set of used mediums. After a failed first attempt, the Dutchman returns to the top of the leaderboard on his next lap. The reigning world champion stays in P1 until qualifying simulations kick off at the halfway point of the session.

The first driver to go for pure one-lap pace on the red side-walled Pirellis is Alonso. The Spaniard utilises the extra grip and clocks the quickest lap of the session in his Aston Martin. Max tries to retaliate but despite another couple of fast laps, he remains three tenths shy of Alonso. Meanwhile, George Russell splits the Aston and RB20 to go second quickest.

In the remaining twenty minutes, the teams shift their focus onto long runs, meaning the lap times set during qualifying simulations are not bettered, resulting in P3 for Max after Thursday practice.

Contest GP Jeddah: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results second free practice Saudi Arabia: