Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen set pace in FP2 of F1 Russian GP from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas.
The start of the FP2 session in F1 Russian GP at Sochi Autodrom was slightly messy as multiple drivers went off at Turn 13 and got confused with the bollards placed to not allow drivers gain any extra time.
It was Red Bull’s Verstappen setting the pace with a 1m33.162s as he came back on Leclerc (1m33.497s) from FP1 with the Monegasque finishing second ahead of Mercedes’ Bottas (1m33.808s).
Teammate Lewis Hamilton (1m33.960s) didn’t look to set a quick time as he was fourth, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (1m34.201s) only fifth after his off moment as Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly (1m34.971s) was sixth.
The two Racing Point drivers found themselves inside the Top 10 with Sergio Perez (1m34.998s) in seventh and Lance Stroll (1m35.176s) eighth – the Mexican also had an off run in the same corners as others.
Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg (1m35.026s) was in between in seventh with Red Bull’s Alexander Albon (1m35.325s) climbed up to 10th after a scrappy session with floor issues after running over the kerb.
He also almost had a clash with Hamilton, when he was coming quickly in the hairpin but the British racer saved by going in the inside. Albon’s late improvement bumped McLaren’s Lando Norris (1m35.223s) to 11th.
Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat (1m35.337s) was 12th after he also had a close shave with his teammate Gasly, where he un-sighted the Frenchman. Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m35.351s) was 13th.
The Dane had to pit early due to a suspected issue. After his late FP1 shunt, Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo (1m35.370s) headed out slightly later than the session started to finish 14th.
Alfa Romeo Racing’s Kimi Raikkonen (1m35.374s) slotted in 15th with Haas’ Romain Grosjean (1m35.593s) 16th, McLaren’s Carlos Sainz (1m35.635s) 17th, Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi (1m36.004s) 18th, Williams’ George Russell (1m36.785s) 19th and Robert Kubica (1m37.838s) 20th.