Max second in Istanbul Park FP1

Published on 08 October 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the second fastest time during the opening practice session of the Turkish Grand Prix. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was quickest at Istanbul Park, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerec completing the top three.

FP1 is the first session that sees Red Bull Racing feature their special RB16B livery. Originally, the livery was planned for the Japanese Grand Prix as a tribute to power-unit supplier Honda, who are leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season. With the Japanese Grand Prix cancelled for the second consecutive year, and replaced by Turkey, Red Bull Racing opted to sport the new one-off colours this weekend.

At the start of session, it is busy out on track. After the treacherous, low-grip conditions last year, the teams are keen to figure out what Istanbul Park has to offer this year.

On his first flying lap, Max sets the pace, but is soon usurped by Lewis Hamilton, who continues to be fastest throughout the remainder of the session.

At the halfway mark, more and more teams start sending their cars out on the soft tyres with both max and Hamilton among the front runners to do so. The latter sets the pace with the Dutchman trailing in third. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon splits the championship contenders after the first flurry of flying laps.

With twenty minutes to go, Max sets his fastest lap of the session, resulting in P2. In the remainder of the session, Max holds on to second with most drivers focussing on long runs, and thus, slower lap times.

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Results first free practice Turkey: