Max Verstappen has topped both of Friday’s busy practice sessions ahead of the British Grand Prix as a number of teams used the outing to test and review new upgrade packages for the event.
A late 1:28.600sec soft-tyre run around Silverstone saw the reigning champion top teammate Sergio Perez by four-tenths of a second in FP1 as the defending champion seeks his sixth consecutive win.
Williams were the surprise package of FP1, with Alex Albon going third quickest and only 0.041 seconds behind Perez as the team race in their 600th Grand Prix at their home event.
Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five.
Esteban Ocon was sixth quickest, hi best time seventh-tenths off Verstappen’s, while Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Lance Stroll and Oscar Piastri completed the top 10.
Lewis Hamilton was the best of the Mercedes drivers in 12th overall, behind Nyck De Vries, while George Russell was 14th.
A slightly-delayed FP2 due to gravel on the track from F2 qualifying produced a slightly shaken up order, however, Verstappen remained firm at the top, setting a day’s best of 1:28.078.
His time was enough to pip Sainz by 0.022 seconds, while Albon carried over his great pace from first practice to again go third fastest.
Late action saw de Vries suffer a puncture and Stroll suffering from a reported stone-strike which appeared to hurt his finger. Both were able to continue.
Perez would go fourth quickest, while Logan Sargeant showed Williams do have pace to be fifth.
Stroll, Nico Hulkenberg, who is also running with new upgrades at Haas, Pierre Gasly, Piastri and Alonso completed the top 10.
Mercedes again struggled for pace as Russell was classified 12th and Hamilton 15th.
Leclerc was unable to take to the track for FP2, suffering from an electrical issue which left him stranded in pit lane.
Formula 1 returns for FP3 at 10.15 pm tonight with qualifying following at 1.15 am. The British Grand Prix begins at 1.00 am on Monday and will be shown live on Sky Sport.
Header Image: Red Bull Content Pool.
