Max fifth in FP2: "That's just the way it is"
Published on 28 April 2017 by Stefan Meens
After P4 in FP1, Max Verstappen set the fifth fastest time in the second free practice session of the Russian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the Dutchman was unable to finish the session with, what appeared to be, a loss of fuel pressure. Ferrari were quickest with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen on top, followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes).
“It’s a shame we couldn’t do a long run today”, said Max to Verstappen.nl. “It’s just the way it is. Luckily Daniel was able to do a long run so we can use that data. This track just doesn’t suit us. Fifth or sixth is the max we can do. We’ll make the most of it.”
Similar to the morning session, FP2 is ran in ideal conditions; 20 degrees and sunny with a track temperature of 38 degrees. It is also the first time we see the Pirelli ultra-softs on the cars. Kimi Raikkonen is the first driver on this fast compound. His first timed lap is straight away the fastest lap around the Sochi Autodrome.
As the session progresses, the drivers more and more push the limits. Several drivers go off track but none have major consequences.
In the final thirty minutes, most teams opt for long runs resulting in only few lap times being beaten. Max has also gone out for a long run, but twenty minutes before the end he reports “I lost power”. It signals the end of the youngster’s Friday, which is dominated by the Ferraris and Mercedes.
Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrome - Friday 28 April
FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS 01 5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:34.120 36 02 7 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:34.383 +0.263s 36 03 77 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:34.790 +0.670s 36 04 44 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:34.829 +0.709s 34 05 33 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:35.540 +1.420s 15 06 3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer 1:35.910 +1.790s 26 07 19 Felipe Massa Williams Mercedes 1:36.261 +2.141s 39 08 27 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:36.329 +2.209s 38 09 20 Kevin Magnussen Haas Ferrari 1:36.506 +2.386s 31 10 11 Sergio Perez Force India Mercedes 1:36.600 +2.480s 38 11 31 Esteban Ocon Force India Mercedes 1:36.654 +2.534s 39 12 14 Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda 1:36.765 +2.645s 27 13 30 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1:36.771 +2.651s 22 14 8 Romain Grosjean Haas Ferrari 1:37.039 +2.919s 31 15 55 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso 1:37.083 +2.963s 36 16 2 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren Honda 1:37.125 +3.005s 25 17 26 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:37.300 +3.180s 35 18 94 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber Ferrari 1:37.441 +3.321s 30 19 18 Lance Stroll Williams Mercedes 1:37.747 +3.627s 36 20 9 Marcus Ericsson Sauber Ferrari 1:37.819 +3.699s 29
