Max fifth in FP2: "That's just the way it is"

Published on 28 April 2017 by Stefan Meens

After P4 in FP1, Max Verstappen set the fifth fastest time in the second free practice session of the Russian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the Dutchman was unable to finish the session with, what appeared to be, a loss of fuel pressure. Ferrari were quickest with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen on top, followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes).

“It’s a shame we couldn’t do a long run today”, said Max to Verstappen.nl. “It’s just the way it is. Luckily Daniel was able to do a long run so we can use that data. This track just doesn’t suit us. Fifth or sixth is the max we can do. We’ll make the most of it.”

Similar to the morning session, FP2 is ran in ideal conditions; 20 degrees and sunny with a track temperature of 38 degrees. It is also the first time we see the Pirelli ultra-softs on the cars. Kimi Raikkonen is the first driver on this fast compound. His first timed lap is straight away the fastest lap around the Sochi Autodrome.

As the session progresses, the drivers more and more push the limits. Several drivers go off track but none have major consequences.

In the final thirty minutes, most teams opt for long runs resulting in only few lap times being beaten. Max has also gone out for a long run, but twenty minutes before the end he reports “I lost power”. It signals the end of the youngster’s Friday, which is dominated by the Ferraris and Mercedes.

Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrome - Friday 28 April

FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS

01  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:34.120          36
02  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:34.383 +0.263s  36
03 77 Valtteri Bottas     Mercedes                    1:34.790 +0.670s  36
04 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:34.829 +0.709s  34
05 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:35.540 +1.420s  15
06  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:35.910 +1.790s  26
07 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:36.261 +2.141s  39
08 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Renault                     1:36.329 +2.209s  38
09 20 Kevin Magnussen     Haas Ferrari                1:36.506 +2.386s  31
10 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:36.600 +2.480s  38
11 31 Esteban Ocon        Force India Mercedes        1:36.654 +2.534s  39
12 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:36.765 +2.645s  27
13 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:36.771 +2.651s  22
14  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:37.039 +2.919s  31
15 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso                  1:37.083 +2.963s  36
16  2 Stoffel Vandoorne   McLaren Honda               1:37.125 +3.005s  25
17 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso                  1:37.300 +3.180s  35
18 94 Pascal Wehrlein     Sauber Ferrari              1:37.441 +3.321s  30
19 18 Lance Stroll        Williams Mercedes           1:37.747 +3.627s  36
20  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:37.819 +3.699s  29 

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