Max sixth in FP2: "A bit too slow"
Published on 24 March 2017 by Stefan Meens
Max Verstappen finished FP2 of the Australian Grand Prix in sixth, despite lapping the Albert Park street circuit only eight times. After running wide in turn 12, the Dutchman damaged the underfloor of his RB13, prompting his team to repair the damage throughout the rest of the session.
“We’re trying to get a better balance and find more speed. We’re currently a bit too slow but we try to improve. I think we are where I expected us to be, which means we’re the third team. But we’ll make the most of it”, said Max post-practice. “On a street circuit like this, the track always improves during the weekend so things will be even faster in qualifying. Hopefully we’ll have a good start on Sunday. Once you’re in front, you can’t overtake.”
Like FP1, Lewis Hamilton led the way. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was half a second a drift in second, followed by Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes. Unlike the first session, FP2 has quite a few interruptions.
Jolyon Palmer had the dubious honor of being the first crash of the 2017 season. The Renault driver lost the rear of the car in turn 16 as he accelerated onto the main straight. Palmer slammed in to the tire wall, giving his mechanics a busy remainder of the day.
Felipe Massa’s limited running was less spectacular; an electrical problem caused the Williams to stop track side. Meanwhile, an unknown problem for Kevin Magnussen limited the Haas driver to just six laps.
Marcus Ericsson caused a late yellow flag when he beached his Sauber in the Turn 6 gravel.
Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park - Friday 24 March 2017
FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS Pos No Driver Team Time Gap Laps 01 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:23.620 34 02 5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:24.167 +0.547s 35 03 77 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:24.176 +0.556s 34 04 7 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:24.525 +0.905s 30 05 3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:24.650 +1.030s 27 06 33 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:25.013 +1.393s 8 07 55 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:25.084 +1.464s 34 08 8 Romain Grosjean Haas Ferrari 1:25.436 +1.816s 29 09 27 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:25.478 +1.858s 36 10 26 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:25.493 +1.873s 39 11 11 Sergio Perez Force India Mercedes 1:25.591 +1.971s 35 12 14 Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda 1:26.000 +2.380s 19 13 31 Esteban Ocon Force India Mercedes 1:26.145 +2.525s 37 14 19 Felipe Massa Williams Mercedes 1:26.331 +2.711s 6 15 9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber Ferrari 1:26.498 +2.878s 29 16 18 Lance Stroll Williams Mercedes 1:26.525 +2.905s 27 17 2 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren Honda 1:26.608 +2.988s 33 18 94 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber Ferrari 1:26.919 +3.299s 30 19 20 Kevin Magnussen Haas Ferrari 1:27.279 +3.659s 8 20 30 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1:27.549 +3.929s 4
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