Red Bulls Max Verstappen appeared to lay down a marker at the start of the Styrian Grand Prix weekend, going fastest in both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2, as title competing Lewis Hamilton might manage no better than P3 throughout Friday. However with Hamilton having set the fastest time in FP2 prior to having it deleted, Verstappen was under no impressions that his title competitor was going to be a pushover this weekend.
Verstappen stopped the clocks with a 1m 05.412 s lap in 2nd practice at the Red Bull Ring, to claim his second fastest time of the day as he swept Friday practice– as Hamilton, on paper at least, couldnt get within three-tenths of the Dutchman on Friday, ending up P4 in FP2 and 0.384 s adrift, having been 0.422 s off in FP1.
FP2: Verstappen quickest again in 2nd practice at the Red Bull Ring, ahead of Ricciardo and Ocon
However with Hamilton having had a 1m 05.335 s lap erased for track limit infringements at Turn 10 in FP2– which would have seen him top the session from Verstappen by 0.077 s– Verstappen didnt pull any punches with his evaluation of his day.
” In the 2nd practice Lewis was quicker however his lap time got erased, so it looks a bit various, I think, than whats revealed at the minute,” stated Verstappen. “But I think general its been quite helpful for us, of course a couple of things still to check out but total Im rather pleased with where the cars and truck is at the moment.”
Verstappen topped both Friday practice sessions in Styria
Asked if he thought it was going to be close with Hamilton come qualifying, Verstappen responded: “Clearly.
It was harder day for Verstappens group mate Sergio Perez, who went 13th fastest in FP1, before enhancing to just P9 in FP2, the Mexican stopping working to get within six-tenths of Verstappen throughout the day.
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That, Perez stated, was down to taking the incorrect instructions with set-up on his Red Bull RB16B– with Perez adding that he wasnt “worried at all” by the time deficit at this phase.
” From our side, we simply need to find a bit of fine-tuning,” said Perez. “I seem to have these issues in practice– Im not so comfortable in the automobile, I sort of take one direction and probably its not the right one.
” I think we do have good rate. The long-run speed appeared to be appealing so if were able to discover a couple of tenths overnight, were in the defend tomorrow, which is essential.
Sergio Pérez in the battle for Styrian GP certifying
” Im not worried at all,” he added. “Obviously here finding a couple of tenths makes a huge distinction. So hopefully we remain in the mix tomorrow come certifying and were able to put a fantastic lap together in Q3.”
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Heading into the Styrian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull hold a 37-point advantage over competitors Mercedes, with Verstappen 12 points clear of Hamilton in the drivers standings.
Asked if he believed it was going to be close with Hamilton come qualifying, Verstappen responded: “Clearly.” Im not worried at all,” he included. “Obviously here discovering a couple of tenths makes a big distinction. Hopefully we are in the mix tomorrow come qualifying and were able to put a terrific lap together in Q3.”
