Verstappen Leads Free Practice 2 Charge

It was Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen who finished the second practice session of the Styrian Grand Prix weekend, on their home circuit with the FIA Formula 1 World Championship paddock staying in Austria for a second week.

The session saw drama early in the session when Renault DP World F1 Team driver Daniel Ricciardo carried too much speed into turn 9, losing control crashing heavily in to the barrier, causing a red flag. Upon existing the car Ricciardo had a noticeable limp, meaning a trip to the medical centre for a check up was due, the team have since confirmed he has been deemed fit and will continue the weekend as planned.

Turn 9 also caused frustration as Lando Norris, Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll, Romain Grosjean, Daniil Kvyat, Alex Albon and Max Verstappen all had lap times deleted for exceeding track limits.

While Verstappen would end the day on the top of the times, he wasn’t happy at the start, complaining of a lack of engine power beyond fourth and fifth gear, also mentioning a “harsh” downshift on the radio.

Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda’s Pierre Gasly was frustrated with his teammate Daniil Kvyat after the Russian driver slipstreamed his way around the circuit, disrupting Gasly’s practice program as a result.

Alex Albon suffered a high speed spin as he lost the back end and ended up the gravel after a slight brush with the turn 5 curb.