Monaco - EL2: The awakening of Verstappen, Sainz at fault

Max Verstappen set the best time in the second free practice session, while Carlos Sainz made a mistake in the pool esses. Also note the good form of Fernando Alonso.

Published on 26/05/2023 à 18:03

¹ View comments)

Max Verstappen, best time of the session. © Julien Delfosse / DPPI

After complaining about the instability of his car during EL1, Max Verstappen bounced back perfectly by setting the best time in the second free practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix this Friday. After changing his suspensions and especially his springs, the Batavian found the rhythm and confidence to dominate both Ferrari de Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Expected as a potential outsider for victory, Fernando Alonso was also very comfortable, playing the entire second part of the session with Max Verstappen for the best time. The Spaniard finally finished 4th, 2/10th behind the Dutchman.
Carlos Sainz made a mistake in the pool esses. The Spaniard, who had been confident since the start of the weekend, hit the wall on the inside of turn 15, breaking his wishbone and ending his race in the wall at turn 16, in an action that is very reminiscent that of Charles Leclerc in qualifying in 2021. Thanks to the speed of intervention of the Monegasque commissioners, the red flag lasted only five minutes.

🚩RED FLAGS 🚩

Sainz hits the barriers exiting the swimming pool section#MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/wCe1bBAA28

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2023

In delicacy this year, McLaren completed a great free practice session with 5th place in Lando Norris. The drag that is so problematic with the MCL60 on other circuits is obviously reduced here. Oscar piastri, who is discovering Monaco in F1, is 18th, more than a second behind.
The drivers mainly worked on the medium tires in the first part of the session, with the exception of Ferrari and Lando Norris on the hard tires. Almost all drivers then switched to red rubber.
As for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton is half a second behind Max Verstappen, and George Russell is 7/10th behind the Dutchman. Meet for free practice 3 at 12:30 p.m. Saturday noon, before qualifying scheduled for 16 p.m.