Max Verstappen fastest for Red Bull in second practice at Spa; Charles Leclerc second for Ferrari as Mercedes struggle in cool and damp conditions; watch Belgian GP qualifying live at 3pm on Saturday, with build up from 2pm
Last Updated: 26/08/22 5:45pm
World championship leader Max Verstappen dominated Practice Two at the Belgian Grand Prix as Red Bull turned around Ferrari’s opening-session advantage at Spa.
Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s nearest title challenger, was almost a second off the pace for Ferrari, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll impressed with third and fourth, respectively.
Carlos Sainz, who had set the pace for Ferrari earlier on Friday as the sport resumed after its three-week summer break, could only manage fifth, while Lewis Hamilton was sixth as Mercedes struggled, with team-mate George Russell in eighth behind Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris – along with three more cars – are set to start from the rear of the grid after receiving penalties for taking new engine parts, setting up an intriguing mixed-up grid for Sunday’s race.
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Martin Brundle takes us through the challenging Eau Rouge at the Belgian Grand Prix
As had been the case in Practice One, the session’s dry running was cut short as showers interrupted the final quarter, but the limited lap time available suggested Red Bull are a step in front of their rivals ahead of Saturday’s qualifying.
Ferrari and Mercedes will hope the forecast for warmer and drier conditions over the weekend will enable them to close the apparent gap to Verstappen.
More to follow…
Belgian GP Practice Two Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:45.507 |
| 2) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.862 |
| 3) Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.082 |
| 4) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.128 |
| 5) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +1.142 |
| 6) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +1.386 |
| 7) Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +1.468 |
| 8) George Russell | Mercedes | +1.535 |
| 9) Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | +1.748 |
| 10) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +1.839 |
| 11) Alex Albon | Williams | +2.013 |
| 12) Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | +2.110 |
| 13) Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +2.151 |
| 14) Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +2.275 |
| 15) Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | +2.360 |
| 16) Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +2.437 |
| 17) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +2.701 |
| 18) Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +2.912 |
| 19) Nicholas Latifi | Williams | +3.105 |
| 20) Mick Schumacher | Haas | +4.434 |
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