Max fifth after Friday practice: 'We're a bit too slow'

Published on 23 August 2024 by Stefan Meens

After setting the second quickest lap time in the opening practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix, Max Verstappen finished Friday’s FP2 in fifth place. George Russell lapped the Zandvoort circuit fastest, ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastri and Mercedes colleague Lewis Hamilton.

“In the first session we weren’t able to do much”, said the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver. “In FP2 we were able to see where we are. We are a bit too slow in the long and short runs. We’ve got work to do.”

At the start of the session, conditions have improved compared to earlier in the day with the sun peeking through the clouds above Zandvoort. As pitlane opens, most driver take to the circuit immediately to make up for the lost track time in FP1.

After the first flurry of flying laps, Max heads the timing sheets. Despite the sun and a dry track, conditions remain challenging for the drivers with several of them enduring trips through the gravel or spinning whilst navigating the undulating course.

One of the drivers getting caught out is Nico Hulkenberg with the German losing control of his Haas breaking into Tarzan. The result is a trip through the gravel and an unplanned parking spot in the tyre barriers, which prompts a red flag.

When the track is cleared and the light goes green at the end of pit lane, Max is first out on track. He sports a set of brand new soft tyres, resulting in the quickest time of the afternoon thus far. Lando Norris quickly takes P1 off the Red Bull racer, the former being usurped by his McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri moments later. Lewis Hamilton squeezes in between Max and the papaya orange McLarens, relegating Max to fourth.

In the final half of FP2, Max gains valuable track time and data for Sunday’s race by completing a long run on a set of used medium Pirellis. Most other drivers follow the Dutchman’s example by using the remainder of the session in preparation for the Grand Prix. Apart from Russell, who sets the quickest lap of the session in the latter stages, times are not bettered as Friday practice wraps up after two hours of track time.

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Results second free practice Netherlands: