Max third on day one of the Spanish Grand Prix: 'Positive day'

Published on 14 August 2020 by Stefan Meens

Like the opening session of the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was third quickest around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in FP2. Lewis Hamilton was quickest, followed by Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) and Romain Grosjean (Haas) completed the top five. Max’ Aston Martin Red Bull Racing colleague, Alex Albon, finished in P13.

“Today the car went pretty well”, said Max after Friday’s practice sessions. “Over one lap, we’re still a bit off to match the Mercedes. But generally speaking, it was a positive day. The car was nice to drive during the long-runs. We won’t be able to do much against the Mercs in qualifying, but who knows what can happen in the race. Today was a good day and let’s hope for the same on Sunday.”

When the pitlane opens at 3pm local time, the temperature has risen to almost 31 degrees. Lando Norris (McLaren) is the first driver out on track. Meanwhile, George Russell is back in the Williams after Roy Nissany drover for the Grove based outfit in the morning.

Whilst Norris completes the first timed lap of the session, Max stays in the garage. It is not until twenty minutes into FP2 that the Dutchman steers his RB16 onto the circuit. He does so on the medium Pirellis. His first timed lap propels him into second place, splitting the two Mercedes.

At the halfway mark, Max switches to the soft tyres. After having dropped down the order to P11, Max makes good use of the fresh Pirellis to set his quickest lap of the session and the third fastest time overall.

With half an hour to go, Max heads out on the soft tyres and ventures on a longer run. Most drivers join the Dutchman in doing race simulations. It does mean that in the final third of the session, lap times are hardly bettered.

In the closing stages, Bottas throws some gravel on the circuit after a minor off-track excursion and Grosjean has to visit the pits after reporting a loss of power on the exit of turn ten.

Spanish GP contest: win a 1:43 Max Verstappen Spain RB14 scale model!

Results second free practice Spain: