Styria – Free Practice 2: Verstappen in Hypothetical Pole Position

A potential qualifying session

With the rain expected on Saturday, if the qualifying session does not take place, the results of Free Practice 2 of this Styrian Grand Prix will determine the starting grid for Sunday. That is why the teams had the cars run a few laps with low fuel to get a good lap time and position themselves as best as possible for the race without taking risks.

With 48 minutes remaining, it was Sergio Perez who set a very good time. 1.03.877 is the time that allowed the Mexican to clinch a hypothetical pole position. An impressive lap, only a few hundredths slower than the lap he completed in Q3 last week. Once again, proof of the effectiveness of this Racing Point. Later in the session, he was beaten by Bottas with a time two-tenths faster, then by Max Verstappen, who, after several invalidations, finally managed to complete a lap without exceeding the curbs.

Big crash for Ricciardo

Clearly, Daniel Ricciardo is certainly not having the start of the season he hoped for. After retiring due to a mechanical failure last Sunday, this time it was Friday when bad luck struck the Australian. It was at turn number 8, a very fast right-hander, where the Renault driver lost the rear of his car, sending it straight into the barriers. An impressive crash that completely destroyed the car’s left rear suspension, the floor, and likely the gearbox. If the starting grid were to be determined by the results of these Free Practice 2 sessions, the future McLaren driver would start last on the grid.

???? RED FLAG ????

Daniel Ricciardo is off at Turn 9, and the session comes to a halt for now#AustrianGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/wqIs7MJhwn

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 10, 2020

A challenging start to the session for both Red Bulls as well. Max Verstappen had to stop in the pit for 5 minutes to fix a sensor problem that was depriving him of a lot of engine power. The Dutchman also suffered from a very oversteering car.

Alexander Albon, for his part, had a slightly embarrassing spin at the exit of turn number 3. Like Ricciardo in FP1, it’s the rear brakes that seem to be causing problems for the drivers. The Thai driver experienced another spin later in the session in the middle of turn number 7.

Ferrari engines still lagging behind

Clearly nothing is going right for Ferrari and its customer teams. Charles Leclerc failed to do better than the 9th fastest time. Still better than what Vettel produced, with only the 16th time for the German. A medium tire time that places him behind a Williams. A strange strategic choice by Ferrari, knowing that these FP2 could actually be a qualifying session, which would place the four-time world champion at the back of the grid. The two Alfa Romeos are only 13th and 14th, with the advantage for Kimi Räikkönen, while the two Haas cars are more than 2 seconds behind Max Verstappen, occupying the last two positions.

Results of Free Practice 2 of the Styrian Grand Prix: