Verstappen fastest in free practice for the Spanish Grand Prix

Formula 1 world championship leader Max Verstappen excelled in both free practice sessions of the Spanish Grand Prix in the Formula 1 world championship on Friday, while Spaniard Fernando Alonso delighted his country’s fans with his second finish.

The 25-year-old Dutchman was 0.768 seconds ahead of his Mexican team mate and closest pursuer Sergio Perez, while he was 0.170 seconds ahead of Alonso in the second round.

It was Alonso’s 32nd world championship victory and so far his last at the same track a decade ago with Ferrari, and the 41-year-old has raised his form with five podium finishes in six races including second in Monaco this weekend. crowd enthusiasm.

Verstappen recorded the fastest lap time around the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, ​​​​one minute and 13.907 seconds, using the soft tires in the second round, as Alonso scored one minute and 14.077 seconds.

The distance of the circuit has been shortened slightly, with the last plastic bump lifted, returning the circuit to its last planned use in 2006.

Verstappen, who won his first Formula One victory at the same circuit in 2016 and also won it last year, leads the standings by 39 points from his nearest rival Perez, after winning four out of six races.

Red Bull has won all six races so far.

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who recently finished third in Monaco last Sunday, was the best of the rest, with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg third in the second round, Perez fourth and Ocon fifth.

Ferrari presented a new developed car, and Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished the day in sixth and seventh positions.

Mercedes’ George Russell, who had been testing prototype Pirelli tires for most of the first round, finished eighth after finishing 10th in the morning session.
All of the top teams used fluorescent sensors and coatings in the first round as they sought aerodynamic data.