Max sixth after Friday practice in Baku: 'Looks like we're more competitive'
Published on 13 September 2024 by Stefan Meens
After setting the fastest time in the opening practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen ended Friday practice in sixth place. Despite P6, the Dutchman is positive about the competitiveness of Oracle Red Bull Racing as his team mate Sergio Perez ended the day second fastest.
“I think in general it was a good day. We learned a thing or two. Now we have to reflect on all the things we tried. But it looks like we should be more competitive this weekend, so that’s positive”, explained the Dutchman who did appear to struggle with understeer in FP2.
“That’s part of this track. It’s slippery and there are a lot of 90 degree turns and sometimes you keep your foot on the brake to avoid the walls. Of course, FP2 was a bit trickier and we need to improve the balance, but I’m sure we can be competitive.
The start of the second Friday practice session sees several drivers struggle. Charles Leclerc is not happy with his rebuilt Ferrari – after crashing it in FP1. George Russell misses the first part of the afternoon due to a power unit replacement for his Mercedes and Max complains about understeer in the opening quarter of the session.
Early on in the session, drivers clock laps on the soft tyres. Top spot on the timing sheets continues to change with Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris (both McLaren) and Max all putting in competitive times on their earlier efforts on the red side-walled Pirellis. At the halfway point, Sainz leads Piastri.
Meanwhile, Max’s Oracle Red Bull Racing team mate Sergio Perez enjoys a good start to his weekend with a P3 in the first session, followed by second in FP2. The Mexican looks set to end the day quickest, only to be usurped by Leclerc with fifteen minutes to go. The Ferrari ace is a mere 0.006s quicker but ends the day on top after a difficult morning. Lewis Hamilton completes the top three in his Mercedes.
Contest GP Azerbaijan: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!
Results second free practice Azerbaijan:
| pos | driver | team | time | gap | laps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | LEC | Ferrari | 1:43.484 | 19 | |
| 2 | Sergio Perez | PER | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:43.490 | +0.006s | 22 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | HAM | Mercedes | 1:43.550 | +0.066s | 21 |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz | SAI | Ferrari | 1:43.950 | +0.466s | 24 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | PIA | McLaren Mercedes | 1:43.983 | +0.499s | 24 |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | VER | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:44.029 | +0.545s | 23 |
| 7 | Lance Stroll | STR | Aston Martin Mercedes | 1:44.093 | +0.609s | 23 |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | HUL | Haas Ferrari | 1:44.475 | +0.991s | 23 |
| 9 | George Russell | RUS | Mercedes | 1:44.536 | +1.052s | 16 |
| 10 | Oliver Bearman | BEA | Haas Ferrari | 1:44.547 | +1.063s | 23 |
| 11 | Yuki Tsunoda | TSU | RB Honda RBPT | 1:44.645 | +1.161s | 23 |
| 12 | Fernando Alonso | ALO | Aston Martin Mercedes | 1:44.683 | +1.199s | 24 |
| 13 | Alexander Albon | ALB | Williams Mercedes | 1:44.737 | +1.253s | 24 |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto | COL | Williams Mercedes | 1:44.749 | +1.265s | 22 |
| 15 | Valtteri Bottas | BOT | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:44.785 | +1.301s | 23 |
| 16 | Daniel Ricciardo | RIC | RB Honda RBPT | 1:45.056 | +1.572s | 25 |
| 17 | Lando Norris | NOR | McLaren Mercedes | 1:45.156 | +1.672s | 24 |
| 18 | Pierre Gasly | GAS | Alpine Renault | 1:45.391 | +1.907s | 21 |
| 19 | Esteban Ocon | OCO | Alpine Renault | 1:45.810 | +2.326s | 23 |
| 20 | Zhou Guanyu | ZHO | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:45.947 | +2.463s | 24 |
