Max P7 after Friday practice: 'We didn't have a good balance.'

Published on 12 July 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the second free practice session of the British Grand Prix in seventh place. Mercedes led the way with Valtteri Bottas lapping the Silvertone circuit quickest ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton and third-placed Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

“Because of the new track surface, we still have to learn how to deal with the gip levels”, explained Max after FP2. “It’s good, although a bit bumpy, which is a shame. But, there is more grip, which is always good. It was pretty windy today which made it more challenging. Ultimately, we didn’t have a good balance in the car.”

“This has probably been the worst Friday of the year so we’ve got some work to do. But it’s good we’re so close to Mercedes and Ferrari so there’s some potential”, concluded the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver.

It remains quiet at the start of the session with most drivers staying in the garage. Kimi Raikkonen is the first driver to head out. Due to technical issues in the first practice session, the Alfa Romeo driver is looking to gain valuable track time. The Finn is also the first driver to clock a time.

Fifteen minutes into FP2, Max steers his RB15 out on track for the first time. After a couple of timed laps, the Red Bulls head the timing sheets with Max quickest ahead of team mate Pierre Gasly.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel are exploring and exceeding the grip limits of the new track surface with both multiple world champions making excursions on to the run-off areas.

At the half way mark Mercedes have restored the order which has been so prevalent during the majority of the 2019 season with the German outfit at the top of the leader boards. This time, it is Bottas leads Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly and Max.

In the final half an hour, whilst having dropped to seventh, Max and the team have turned their focus on to race simulations. He does so on the soft tyre. Nevertheless, the Red Bull ace only clocks yellow sectors, meaning he does not better his lap time.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault has come to a standstill, resulting in a Virtual Safety Car. After the VSC is cleared, Max once again ventures out for a run. This time he uses a set of used medium Pirellis which do not give him the grip to better his lap time, meaning the Dutchman ends Friday at Silverstone in P7.

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Results second free practice Great Britain: