Verstappen fastest in FP2 session that could set Styrian GP F1 grid

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was fastest in a session that could ultimately determine the grid for Formula 1’s Styrian Grand Prix.

Verstappen pumped in a 1m03.660s to pip championship leader Valtteri Bottas to the fastest time by just 0.043s in second practice at the Red Bull Ring on Friday, while Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo walked away from a huge accident that red-flagged the session.

After setting the pace in FP1, Sergio Perez once again impressed for Racing Point as he headed teammate Lance Stroll in third and fourth in what was another strong session for the Silverstone-based outfit.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton was only sixth fastest as he struggled to match the pace of his teammate and was left unhappy with his Mercedes car.

Results from second practice might prove to be crucial as they could end up deciding the grid for Sunday’s race.

If qualifying is a wash-out with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast throughout Saturday, and conditions are still too wet to run on Sunday morning too, then the grid would be formed by the times set in this session.

The afternoon session was interrupted by a big crash for Ricciardo, who lost control at Turn 9 and slid backwards into the barriers at high-speed after half an hour of running.

The accident wrecked his Renault, causing severe damage to the rear and left-hand side of his R.S.20, and the Australian was seen hobbling away from the scene of the crash with a slight limp. He was declared fit following a trip to the medical centre for a check up.

McLaren’s Carlos Sainz was fifth fastest, ahead Hamilton, who struggled to hook a competitive lap together despite multiple Soft-tyre runs and ended up over six-tenths off the pace by the end of what could be a vital session.

Alex Albon was seventh in the second Red Bull and endured a scrappy session in which he spun twice in his RB16, including a high-speed trip through the gravel at Turn 8.

After claiming his maiden F1 podium last time out in Austria, McLaren’s Lando Norris - who has a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race for a yellow flag violation in FP1 - was eighth-quickest.

Once again Ferrari was well off the pace as Charles Leclerc could only set the ninth-fastest time with an effort that was over a second slower than Verstappen’s benchmark. Esteban Ocon rounded out the top-10 for Renault.

The AlphaTauri’s were line-a-stern in P11 and P12 as Pierre Gasly outpaced teammate Daniil Kvyat, with the pair finishing ahead of Alfa Romeo duo Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi.

George Russell was 15th on his return to the cockpit of his Williams after Jack Aitken made his F1 grand prix weekend debut for the team in FP1.

Sebastian Vettel’s struggles continued for Ferrari as he concluded Friday practice sandwiched between the two Williams, less than a tenth clear of Nicholas Latifi.

It was a miserable session for Haas as Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean completed the order of drivers who managed to set lap times, with Ricciardo restricted to P20 due to his crash.

FULL RESULTS FROM SECOND PRACTICE FOR THE 2020 F1 STYRIAN GRAND PRIX.