Saudi Arabia – EL2: Verstappen without rival, Alpine in the moment

Unsurprisingly, Max Verstappen doubled the lead during the 2nd free practice session where the Alpine were more lively.

Published on 17/03/2023 à 19:03

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Saudi Arabia – EL2: Verstappen without rival, Alpine in the moment

Max Verstappen is far too alone on the Jeddah Corniche. ©Red Bull Content Pool

We take the same ones and start again, or almost. Far too alone since the start of the season in Bahrain two weeks ago, Max Verstappen did not tremble when closing the first day of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Fastest man in EL1, the driver Red Bull did it again during the night session this Friday evening. After a first part focused on medium tires where he dominated, the Dutchman was also the fastest on soft tires quickly sending his teammate Sergio Pérez behind him. And since you don't change a winning team, Fernando Alonso once again invited himself into the Top 3 but this time separated the RB19s in the timesheet finishing only 2 tenths behind Max Verstappen.

Alpine responds, McLaren in the tough

In the fight for 4^e place among the Manufacturers in 2022, Alpine et McLaren are having a diametrically opposed start to the weekend. For their part, the Blues seem to have regained momentum after a complicated start in Bahrain. Indeed, Esteban Ocon et Pierre Gasly continued the good momentum from the start of the day with the 4^e and 6^e chronos respectively being thus separated only by the Mercedes by George Russell.

On the Orange side, things are not getting better without big surprises. The MCL60 decidedly below the expected level, Lando Norris et Oscar piastri had another difficult day, suffering in particular to enter the Top 10. If Lando Norris can perhaps aim for Q3 with his 12^e time this Friday, Oscar Piastri had difficulty stringing together the times due in particular to the traffic. Embarrassed on two flying laps while he was improving, the Australian was unable to leave 19^e place ahead only Valtteri Bottas.

Finally, it is difficult to see in the game of Ferrari after the first two sessions. If they do not keep pace with the Red Bulls, the SF-23s were far from the mark, undoubtedly preserving their new elements installed for qualifying and the Grand Prix. Ninth and tenth times on the line for Charles Leclerc et Carlos Sainz 7 and 9 tenths behind Max Verstappen respectively.