Home F1 Belgian GP: Verstappen fastest in FP2 despite causing late red flag

Max Verstappen, F1, Belgian GP — SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on August 27, 2021 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202108270179 // Usage for editorial use only //

Belgian GP: Verstappen fastest in FP2 despite causing late red flag

27/08/2021

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ended up on top in F1 Belgian GP FP2 despite a late crash, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas in P2 and Lewis Hamilton P3.

The F1 Belgian GP FP2 started on a similar note with few drivers opting to start on the intermediate tyres, but they soon realised that the track was dry enough for the slick compound. It was an immediate change in order to save the intermediate tyres.

The session wasn’t as smooth with few yellow flags and also couple of reds. The latter was for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who crashed at the exit of Turn 5. He lost control of the rear but caught himself well to limit the damage on the left-hand side of the car.

It ended his run where he couldn’t show his pace on the soft tyres. The other red flag was for Red Bull’s Verstappen in the same corner, where he went off riding the kerb in the corner, rather than exit of Turn 5. The session ended under red flag.

In the standings, meanwhile, Verstappen ended up on top still with a 1m44.472s lap, where the Top 3 were covered by 0.072s. The Mercedes duo were in the Top 3, with Valtteri Bottas (1m44.513s) ahead of Lewis Hamilton (1m44.544s) in second.

The Mercedes duo set their best time on the medium tyres. Behind them was Alpine’s Fernando Alonso (1m44.953s), who carried the driver eye camera. The F1 world feed showcased a lap from the camera to present a unique view of the Spa circuit.

AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly (1m44.965s) was fifth from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (1m45.180s), with the other Alpine of Esteban Ocon (1m45.302s) in seventh from the second Aston Martin of Sebastian Vettel (1m45.336s).

Ocon had a spin to early in the session to cause a yellow flag, while Gasly had to take the escape road at Turn 5 for his small moment. The Top 10 was rounded out by McLaren’s Lando Norris (1m45.386s) and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (1m45.404s).

The Brit also caused a yellow flag after missing the apex at Turn 5. The Mexican set his best time on the medium tyres too, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz ended up 11th from AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and the two Alfa Romeo drivers.

It was Antonio Giovinazzi in 13th from Kimi Raikkonen, with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo in 15th ahead of the Williams pair of Nicholas Latifi and George Russell, where the Canadian set his best time on medium compound as well. Leclerc was 18th eventually from Haas pair of Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher.