Max Verstappen third in Silverstone FP1

Published on 07 August 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen opened the second consecutive race weekend at Silverstone with a third place in the first practice session. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver completed 24 laps on the track that will host the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix on Sunday. Valtteri Bottas was quickest, followed by Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Prior to FP1, Racing Point confirmed Nico Hulkenberg to replace Sergio Perez for this weekend’s Grand Prix, with the Mexican testing positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Robert Kubica will take over driving duties from Antonio Giovinazzi in FP1 at Alfa Romeo.

As the pitlane opens, Max is straight out on track to complete several installation laps on the soft compound. Lap times are hardly set; twenty minutes in, only the two Ferraris and Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen finished a flying lap.

All other drivers, bar Max, follow by posting their first timed lap of the day. Max, however, is still in the pits, where his mechanics are hard at work changing the RB16’s set-up.

After a long time in the garage, Max finally sets his first timed lap with half an hour to go. On the soft Pirelli tyres, Max clocks a 1:26.893.

In the final ten minutes, Max once again heads out on a set of softs. Nevertheless, he is unable to better his time, meaning he ends the session in third behind the two Mercedes and ahead of Nico Hulkenberg’s Racing Point.

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Results first free practice Great Britain: