Max fifth in Hockenheim FP1: "Balance is good"

Published on 29 July 2016 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the first free practice session to the German Grand Prix In fifth. As usual, the two Mercedes topped the timing sheets with Nico Rosberg taking P1 ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen settled for third and fourth for Ferrari with Max and Daniel Ricciardo completing the top six.

It was Max’ first time in a Formula 1 car at Hockenheim: “That’s why I took my time. We made some set-up changes that worked for us”, said Max to Verstappen.nl. “The car felt good on the brakes and at turn-in. The grip and balance are good too so all in all I’m pretty happy with the start to the weekend.”

Ten minutes into FP1, Max heads out for his first run, with his RB12 sporting the ‘flow-viz’ paint, which shows the aero flow on the cars. In his second run, like the first on the soft Pirelli compound, Max improves his lap times in a twelve lap stint.

With 30 minutes remaining, the Dutchman starts a third run, this time on the fastest super-soft tyres. Again, Max improves his lap time by setting a 1:16.927, his quickest time of the morning.

In his final run, Max heads out with a new front but he does not improve on his lap time. After 29 laps. he finishes FP1 in fifth, ahead of team mate Ricciardo but behind both Mercedes and Ferraris.

German Grand Prix - Hockenheim - Friday 29 July

RESULTS FREE PRACTICE 1

01  6 Nico Rosberg        Mercedes                    1:15.517             32
02 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:15.843   +0.326s   30
03  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:16.667   +1.150s   29
04  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:16.852   +1.335s   23
05 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:16.927   +1.410s   29
06  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:17.089   +1.572s   30
07 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:17.183   +1.666s   18
08 22 Jenson Button       McLaren Honda               1:17.612   +2.095s   15
09 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:18.008   +2.491s   25
10 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso Ferrari          1:18.044   +2.527s   22
11  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:18.198   +2.681s   28
12 77 Valtteri Bottas     Williams Mercedes           1:18.210   +2.693s   37
13 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:18.322   +2.805s   33
14  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:18.589   +3.072s   20
15 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Force India Mercedes        1:18.591   +3.074s   35
16 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:18.628   +3.111s   29
17 50 Charles Leclerc     Haas Ferrari                1:18.882   +3.365s   32
18 20 Kevin Magnussen     Renault                     1:18.933   +3.416s   35
19 12 Felipe Nasr         Sauber Ferrari              1:18.961   +3.444s   22
20 45 Esteban Ocon        Renault                     1:18.981   +3.464s   30
21 88 Rio Haryanto        MRT Mercedes                1:19.167   +3.650s   34
22 94 Pascal Wehrlein     MRT Mercedes                1:19.975   +4.458s   33

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