Verstappen Leads At Monaco FP2 As Leclerc Second Fastest At Home Circuit

Isaac KwakyeMay 27, 2023

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Defending world champion and current Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen was fastest on Friday evening’s Free Practice 2 at the Monaco Grand Prix. It was a step-up in pace for the Dutchman, with Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz second and third quickest, respectively. Saturday will see the third practice session followed by qualifying for Sunday’s race.

Red Bull Max Verstappen topped FP2 at the Monaco Grand Prix on Friday evening.

Verstappen was only sixth fastest in the first practice session earlier in the day, but he improved vastly with an ominous step up when he had another chance.

The Dutchman has back-to-back world championships and is the current season leader as he aims for a rare hat-trick of triumphs in Formula 1.

His time of 1:12.462 kept him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, second, who was racing at his home circuit.

The Monegasque was just ahead of his team-mate, Carlos Sainz, who brought out a red flag earlier in the session, as he ended up colliding with a wall at the swimming pool chicane, though most of the impact was absorbed by his front right tyre. The Spaniard had been the fastest in the first session and maintained a healthy pace.

Leclerc, for his part, was one of several drivers – including veteran Fernando Alonso – who complained about traffic preventing him from hitting his top pace. Alonso finished fourth fastest in his Aston Martin.

Another veteran, though retired, was in attendance, with former world champion Sebastian Vettel making an appearance in the paddock.

McLaren’s Lando Norris scored another impressive performance, in fifth, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton – linked with a move to Mercedes – in sixth and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in seventh.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell was well down in 12th, continuing his struggles from the first runout, ahead of Saturday’s third practice and qualifying sessions.

FP2 RESULTS