Max quickest in Sochi Friday practice

Published on 27 September 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen ended the first day of the Russian Grand Prix quickest after clocking the fastest lap in the second Friday practice session. The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver completed 29 laps of the Sochie circuit, his best effort being a 1:33.162. Trailing the Dutchman by three tenths of a second was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) completed the top three.

"All day the third sector went well. If you have a good feeling in the car, it really comes alive in the last sector. That’s positive, especially after Singapore where we had a tough time. Here, we’ve made good set-up changes”, explains Max.

Prior to the weekend, Max was awarded a five-second grid penalty due to an engine swap. Nevertheless, the youngster is optimistic: “It might rain, which can give us some opportunities. Today was positive, so let’s hope the car works well in the rain tomorrow.”

At the start of the session, it is mainly the mid-field runners that take to the track. Ten minutes in, the top teams send their drivers out with Max and Charles Leclerc setting the pace.

Apart from a swift virtual safety car, a polystyrene signs is knocked over at turn one, the session passes without any major incidents.

At the halfway mark, the teams opt for performance runs with low fuel and fresh soft Pirellis. Max sets a 1:33.162, ultimately the fastest lap of the session.

As usual, the final half an hour of the session is spend focusing on the long-run pace ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix. Max heads out on both the medium and soft compound but is unable to match his previously set fastest effort. Nevertheless, the Dutchman remains at the top of the leaderboards when the clock runs to zero.

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Results second free practice Russia: