Max fifteenth in FP2 in Singapore: 'Not the grip we wanted'

Published on 20 September 2024 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen finished fifteenth in the second free practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix. After the session, Max mentioned that it was a difficult practice with little grip in the RB20. Lando Norris was the fastest driver on track during this session, ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

“It was difficult. We did not have the grip that we would like,” Max says after the session ended. When asked about the problems with the bumps and the kerbs, which forced him to drive with more caution, Max answers: “It’s less of a problem. I was struggling with the grip in general, so there are a few things that could be improved.”

Under the artificial lights of the Marina Bay Circuit in Singapore, the lights go green at the end of the pitlane for the start of the second free practice. Max has a small issue at the start of the session, reporting that the button for the radio on his steering wheel is stuck. Nevertheless, the reigning World Champion stays out and drives the first part of the session on the hard tyres. After fifteen minutes, he returns to the pits. At that moment, he has the twelfth fastest time, 1.086 seconds behind Alexander Albon, who currently is leading the time sheets. The Williams driver set that time on medium tyres.

Albon is also the first to switch to the soft compound. With a 1:31.6, he improves the fastest time and is two-tenths quicker than the Ferraris on the medium tyres. Shortly after, more drivers switch to the soft tyres, including Max Verstappen. On his first flying lap, he sets a 1:32.0, which is the thirteenth time. Lando Norris is fastest at that moment, with a time of 1:30.7, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Sergio Perez, Max’s teammate at Oracle Red Bull Racing, sets the eighth fastest time.

The rest of the session is mainly focussed on the long runs. While Max is driving on hard tyres, others opt for the soft or mediums. Towards the end of the session, some drivers start to struggle. There are many braking errors and some even touch the wall. For a long time, things go well and it’s just a lot of close calls. But with two minutes remaining, the yellow flag is waved. George Russell loses control of his car after a moment of understeering and hits the wall with his Mercedes. He manages to reverse out of it on his own. Without a front wing, he drives back to the pitlane, ending the session. Lando Norris finishes the session as fastest, followed by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen ends the second practice session in fifteenth place.

Contest GP Singapore: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results second free practice Singapore: