Max P12 after first Barcelona practice

Published on 10 May 2019 by Stefan Meens

After a problem with his RB15, Max Verstappen managed only P12 in the opening practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) was quickest at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, followed by the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerec.

Daniil Kvyat is the first driver to take to the track, followed by both McLarens and the two Haas. Pierre Gasly, Max’ Aston Martin Red Bull Racing teammate, is the first to set a lap time.

Twenty minutes into the session, Max heads out for his first run. Where Ferrari opt to start on the soft Pirellis and Mercedes the mediums, the Dutchman chooses the hard compound.

During one of his runs, Max nearly collides with Bottas after the Finn forgets to look in his mirrors. Max has to take evasive actions and cuts the corner. Luckily both drivers get away without any damage.

After the teams hand in their first set of tyres back to Pirelli, it remains quiet. It is not until the final thirty minutes the drivers go back out. Once Max heads out, he does so on a set of the medium Pirellis. He is quickly forced to return to the pits after notifying the team of potential engine issues. Upon further inspection, there appears to be an oil leak. To fix it, the mechanics have to take off the floor of Max’ RB 15, meaning his session ends prematurely having completed fourteen laps.

Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes has a hydraulic issue to content with, meaning he will stay in the pits for the remainder of the session too.

In the closing stages, it is busy on track. Bar Bottas, Max and Toro Rosso’s Alex Albon, all drivers out on the circuit. However, the lap times are not bettered. The session ends with a red flag; Lance Stroll has lost control of his Racing Point in turn nine, a high speed right hander. The Canadian ends up in the barrier but walks away unharmed.

Spanish GP contest: win the scale model of Max Verstappen RB14 Spain 2018

Results first free practice Spain: