Max tops standings after Friday practice in Bahrain: 'Good feeling in the car'

Published on 26 March 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was quickest on the opening day of the Bahrain Grand Prix after topping the timing sheets after both free practice session. Lando Norris (McLaren) followed in second, with Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) completing the top three in FP2.

“The car is OK. We had different conditions compared to the winter tests but it went well”, said Max. “I had a good feeling in the car and of course there are things to look into, for example the tyres and balance. But generally, I’m fairly happy.”

“But tomorrow is a new day, with more wind, which is challenging for these cars”, explained the Red Bull Racing driver. “I still expect Mercedes to be the strongest Mercedes powered team”, concluded Max as he referred to the encouraging pace Mclaren showed.

At the start of the session, the sun has set, the flood lights are on and the drivers encounter a track that will be more like the circuit conditions on Saturday and Sunday.

In the first part of FP2, most drivers head out on the medium Pirellis to adjust to the conditions. Max and Hamilton immediately set the tone with the Mercedes ace clocking the quickest opening lap, ahead of the Dutchman. However, Hamilton’s time is cancelled after the World Champion exceeds track limits, granting top spot to Max.

Soon after, Hamilton strikes back with three purple sectors to go fastest, still on the medium tyres. At the same time, Kimi Raikkonen goes off-track and loses his front wing. Thankfully, the Alfa Romeo can make its way back to the pits, where the mechanics start the repairs.

Twenty minutes in, most drivers head out on the soft Pirelli compound for qualifying simulations. The result is tumbling lap times and several people occupying the top spot after one another. Hamilton is the first to strike before Norris topples him in a battle of the Brits. Soon after, Max bolts on the softs and dives under Norris’ time by more than a tenth of a second, cementing himself as the driver to beat today at the Bahrain International Circuit.

At the halfway mark, the top then consists of Max, Norris, Hamilton, Sainz, Bottas, Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Stroll, Gasly and Perez. Because the teams then shift their focus to long runs on the medium tyres, that top ten does not change in the final stages of FP2. It means Max ends both practice sessions at the top of the leaderboards, concluding an encouraging Friday for Red Bull Racing.

Contest GP Bahrain: win a by Max signed Red Bull Racing driver cap!

Results second free practice Bahrain: