RACE DEBRIEF

    Max Verstappen made it two for two on Friday in Spain, by following up his efforts in FP1 to lead a much closer second practice session narrowly ahead of home favourite Fernando Alonso and Haas Nico Hulkenberg.

    On a qualifying simulation run, Verstappen set a time of 1m 13.907s to lead Alonso by 0.107s with Hulkenberg, in third, 0.270s behind the Dutch driver. Sergio Perez rounded out the top four although he was just over three-tenths off the pace of his Red Bull team mate.

    FP2: Verstappen edges out Alonso during second Barcelona practice session

    Esteban Ocon was fifth fastest for Alpine, ahead of the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and the Mercedes George Russell in eighth. Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas was ninth quickest, with the other Alpine of Pierre Gasly rounding out the top-10.

    There were no red flags in the session although we did see drivers run through the gravel, including Russell as he looked to avoid Oscar Piastri.

    Click on the video player above to catch the action from the second practice session in Barcelona.