Max third after Portimao FP1

Published on 23 October 2020 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen finished the first session at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal in third place. Valtteri Bottas was quickest ahead of Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Max’ Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s colleague Alex Albon rounded out the top five.

The Portuguese Grand Prix weekend starts dry with a pleasant 18 degrees Celsius. Although some rain is forecast over the next few days, FP1 is run on a dry track, despite a few spots of rain thirty minutes into the session.

As it is a new circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, the drivers are finding the limits. In his first few laps, Max certainly found the limit; after exceeding track limits on his second timed lap, he has a harmless spin in turn four on his next attempt.

Throughout the session, both the track and garages are busy with teams trying to find a suitable set-up to suit the new circuit.

In the final twenty minutes, Max heads out on the hard Pirelli tyres for several runs and he clocks his personal best of the session (1:19.191), which ultimately results in third place behind the two Mercedes.

The session ends with Esteban Ocon’s Renault heavily smoking and spraying oil on the track as the Frenchman returns to the pits.

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Results first free practice Portugal: