EL2: Verstappen on top before the mistake in Baku

Max Verstappen remained the fastest in the first tests of the Azerbaijan GP in Baku before hitting the wall at the end of the session. Many pilots made mistakes.

Published on 23/06/2017 à 16:41

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EL2: Verstappen on top before the mistake in Baku

The second practice session for the Azerbaijan GP in Baku was marked by numerous track exits in the runoff zones, with the drivers having difficulty in the braking zones.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) remained the fastest in the second practice session by completing a lap in 1'43''362 with the super soft tires where he was ahead of Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), his closest pursuer, by a tenth. The Dutchman nevertheless ended his session in the wall half a minute from the checkered flag.

.@Max33Verstappen OK, but a busy night for @redbullracing engineers… #AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/P4cdGB8Tvr

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23th June 2017

Daniel Ricciardo confirmed the promising performances of Red Bull Racing by taking 3rd place, but Mercedes seems more in difficulty since Lewis Hamilton only finished 10th, more than a second behind the benchmark, the three-time world champion not even managing to progress with the red sidewall tires. The Briton left his car several minutes before the end of the session. THE Ferrari remain in ambush with Kimi Räikkönen 4th ahead of his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Sergio Pérez (Force India) recovered well after his crash in FP1 by taking 7th place between the Williams de Lance stroll and Toro Rosso of Daniil Kvyat with the soft tires. His teammate Esteban Ocon followed in 9th place, 2 tenths behind the Mexican.

Despite the change of engine elements carried out on both McLaren, Fernando Alonso was again the victim of a mechanical breakdown after having covered 35 laps (20 this morning and 15 this afternoon). The Asturian had time to set the 12th time between Felipe Massa (Williams) and Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso).

@McLarenF1

ALO: “Engine, engine…”

#AzerbaijanGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/BaAHCrbxDV

- Formula 1 (@ F1) 23th June 2017

Kevin Magnussen (Haas) finished in 14th position while his teammate Romain Grosjean ranks last, more than 2s behind the Dane. The Frenchman was in great difficulty with his brake system.

Jolyon Palmer (Renault) saw his testing end mid-session after the Briton hit the wall at turn 8 where Sergio Pérez was trapped during FP1, causing a red flag. The Briton finished 16th behind his teammate Nico Hulkenberg ahead of the Sauber of Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson.