Max fifth in Monza FP2: "We are where we expected to be"

Published on 01 September 2017 by Stefan Meens

After P6 in FP1, Max Verstappen clocked the fifth fastest time in the second free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman completed 34 issue-free laps, lapping the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in a 1:22.409. Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton were quickest round the high speed circuit. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, both Ferrari, occupied third and fourth.

“The car felt OK. Of course we can always improve the set-up, but in terms of speed we are where we expected to be. With the long straights, Monza is difficult for us, with the low downforce set-up. But we’ll give it our best”, explained Max to Verstappen.nl.

Although Red Bull Racing are the third fastest team, Max will have to start the Italian Grand Prix from further back, due to a 15-place grid penalty after the team replaced his RB13’s power unit. “Monza doesn’t suit us, so we’re taking the penalty now, so we don’t have to in Singapore, which is a track that suit us.”

Despite the penalty, Max is feeling good about Sunday’s Grand Prix. “We knew the penalty was coming so it’s easier to accept. We’ll start from further back, but hopefully I can enjoy some good overtakes.”

Similar Similar to FP1, the second Friday practice session was an uneventful, apart from a couple of off-track excursions. Lance Stroll spun going into Ascari, but the Canadian was able to keep his Williams running and continued without any damage sustained.

Carlos Sainz was less lucky. The Spaniard wa forced to park his smoking Scuderia Toro Rosso at the second chicane. It was another disappointment for the Spaniard who had already received a 10-place grid penalty earlier in the weekend.

The third driver to have an incident was Kevin Magnussen. The Dane parked his Haas at the Ascari chicane with a broken suspension. A virtual safety car was deployed, but with the session was resumed quickly after.

Italian Grand Prix - Autodromo Nazionale Monza - Friday 1 September

FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS

01 77 Valtteri Bottas     Mercedes                    1:21.406          25
02 44 Lewis Hamilton      Mercedes                    1:21.462 +0.056s  24
03  5 Sebastian Vettel    Ferrari                     1:21.546 +0.140s  33
04  7 Kimi Räikkönen      Ferrari                     1:21.804 +0.398s  34
05 33 Max Verstappen      Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:22.409 +1.003s  34
06  3 Daniel Ricciardo    Red Bull Racing TAG Heuer   1:22.752 +1.346s  22
07  2 Stoffel Vandoorne   McLaren Honda               1:22.947 +1.541s  31
08 14 Fernando Alonso     McLaren Honda               1:22.968 +1.562s  31
09 31 Esteban Ocon        Force India Mercedes        1:22.977 +1.571s  43
10 19 Felipe Massa        Williams Mercedes           1:22.985 +1.579s  42
11 55 Carlos Sainz        Toro Rosso                  1:23.150 +1.744s  21
12 27 Nico Hulkenberg     Renault                     1:23.272 +1.866s  14
13 30 Jolyon Palmer       Renault                     1:23.317 +1.911s  34
14 11 Sergio Perez        Force India Mercedes        1:23.352 +1.946s  43
15 18 Lance Stroll        Williams Mercedes           1:23.403 +1.997s  36
16  8 Romain Grosjean     Haas Ferrari                1:23.567 +2.161s  31
17 20 Kevin Magnussen     Haas Ferrari                1:23.650 +2.244s  20
18 26 Daniil Kvyat        Toro Rosso                  1:24.253 +2.847s  28
19  9 Marcus Ericsson     Sauber Ferrari              1:24.894 +3.488s  39
20 94 Pascal Wehrlein     Sauber Ferrari              1:25.295 +3.889s  25

Italian GP contest: win a 1:43 halo Italian GP 2016 scale model