Only 6th in the first practice earlier in the afternoon, the Dutchman, who had complained of clutch problems and a difficult RB19 to drive, seems to have regained color.
On Friday evening, the two-time reigning world champion beat the Ferraris of Monegasque Charles Leclerc and Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who created the only red flag of the session, after hitting a wall about fifteen minutes from the end. The time to clear the car, the session was able to resume.
Another Spaniard followed, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Britons Lando Norris (McLaren) and Lewis Hamilton (Merdedes), the other Red Bull of Sergio Pérez and Finn Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo).
French Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon complete the Top 10.
On Saturday, the drivers will contest a final practice session scheduled at 12:30 before qualifying at 16:00.
. 2nd free practice session:
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:12.462
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:12.527
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:12.569
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:12.682
Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:12.906
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:12.960
Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:12.991
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:13.050
Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:13.089
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:13.162
Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:13.185
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:13.191
Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:13.354
Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:13.457
Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:13.520
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:13.641
Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:13.663
Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:13.673
Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:14.238
Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:14.515
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