Saudi Arabian GP: Max Verstappen tops Fernando Alonso in tight second practice in Jeddah

Max Verstappen topped the two training sessions in Jeddah; Fernando Alonso split the Red Bulls to finish second under the lights; Lewis Hamilton is only 11 for Mercedes; Watch the Saudi Arabian GP final practice live on Saturday at 1.30pm on Sky Sports F1

Max Verstappen was fastest in both practice sessions on Saturday

Max Verstappen completed Friday’s second practice session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix while Fernando Alonso finished second to provide further evidence of Aston Martin’s incredible progress.

After leading a Red Bull one-two from Sergio Perez in the opening session, Verstappen, who took victory in the season opener in Bahrain earlier this month, was untouchable as he clocked 1:29.603 to finish by 0.2 seconds. Alonso.

Perez, who sealed a Red Bull one-two in Bahrain, was ten behind Alonso in third on F1’s fastest road circuit, in nighttime conditions that mirrored Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race.

Alpine put in a better display as fourth place Esteban Ocon and teammate Pierre Gasly were separated by Mercedes’ George Russell.

However, Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton had a more challenging session as he finished 11th, just behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who was unhappy as he was expected to be Verstappen’s biggest challenger in Saudi Arabia.

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Verstappen approaches the wall during a flying lap in P2 of the Saudi Arabian GP.

There were suspicions that Ferrari were running their engines at less than full capacity, as the team tested after both drivers were forced to take new power units following technical problems in Bahrain.

Lance Stroll supported Alonso’s performance by taking seventh for Aston Martin, while Nico Hulkenberg produced an impressive display to finish ahead of the Ferraris and Hamilton in ninth.

After finishing last in the opening session, Lando Norris provided McLaren with a small boost to take 12th place, but his struggle looks set to continue with Oscar Piastri down to 19th.

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Oscar Piastri found the entire track blocked during a flying lap in P2 of the Saudi Arabian GP.

Verstappen defies illness to dominate

Verstappen had posted on social media on Thursday that he was “feeling well again” after a stomach ache caused him to delay his flight to Saudi Arabia, and he backed up that claim on Friday.

The Dutchman was the last car on the track in the heat of the day, but quickly jumped to the top of the timesheet when he found his rhythm around the challenging road circuit.

The only difference in the lights in the evening is that Alonso is directly behind him instead of Perez.

Verstappen, who is chasing a third consecutive world championship, appeared in a league of his own, with a scare when he lost control in the final corner and nearly crashed into the same wall as he ruined a memorable qualifying lap in 2021.

“I think we had a positive day but there are still things we can do better,” said Verstappen.

“In the long run, I think we all seem quite close. It’s all just managing the tires because they don’t allow you to push around here, so with the low deg circuit, I think the lap times are very close. so it’s definitely not like Bahrain.”

More to follow…

Formula 1 street racing is back! Watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race are live at 5 p.m. Get Sky Sports