McLaren responded to Verstappen

Like that Max Verstappen was the man to beat at Spa after more than the leading, with many margins, the Free practice 1 of the Belgian F1 GP this Friday morning. But McLaren was responsible for sending him a message of strength in Free Practice 2, leading the session with Lando Norrisfollowed by his companion Piastre to 2 tenths and may Verstappen only two thousand Australians.

The orange cars are considered the main favorites to win it all this weekend after confirming themselves as the best car in the last few races. And those Moving They finished the day in style, achieving another double in the second training session held Spa-Francorchamps after being conquered in the race of Hungary just a few days ago. And if that wasn’t enough, the ‘papaya’ showed better race speed with the medium rubber in the long run.

Max Verstappen have to fight against the tide at Spa. McLaren looks very strong and its weekend will largely be conditioned by the 10-place penalty that the leader of world due to its replacement of the internal combustion engine.

It was logical that he chose to do this Spa, a place where it is easier to overtake and overcome than other tracks. But this year things will be more complicated for Max leaving He drives a car where he has suffered a lot in the last races, it is difficult to drive and the fight at the top will be tougher than in previous years. Without the superior vehicle of previous campaigns, Max will have to set the goal of minimizing losses against a Norris who can continue to cut him down a good handful of 76 points separating them from the World Cup leaders.

Belgian F1 GP 2024 Free Practice 2 Results

Waiting for rain in ‘qualy’

Max He can team up with one of his favorite elements, rain, to find pole this Saturday in qualifying. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre They have a golden opportunity to compete for another double on the front row to escape Sunday’s race, but if rain punishes the tarmac in Saturday’s race against the clock, anything can happen. Max He will be looking for a pole that allows him to start at least 11th in his penalty. The battle was served.

I would like to be with you ‘Checo’ Pérez, but it is still very far away. The Mexican driver is 9th in 1″2 amid a drop in results and in the spotlight. And on top of that, the Mexican often suffers from changing conditions in the ‘qualy’. Rain is expected and the mule in Guadalajara may suffer again.

Ferrari against Mercedes

Ferrari ended the day in fourth position with Charles Leclerc, 0″577, and fifth Carlos Sainz, 0.838 off the best time. It looks like the red car will not be able to challenge for pole and victory at this track and it will be necessary to see if Mercedes is able to take a step forward. Carlos Sainz, who always shines on the water, will find an ally in the rain in qualifying to maximize his result on the grid.

Much is expected from Mercedes at this circuit. For now, Russell was 6th by 1 second, a long way off, and Hamilton was 10th by 1″2. Mercedes are usually the most hidden on Fridays to improve by pushing their engine on Saturday and they are one of the great unknowns.

For now, At race pace with medium rubber, it seemed the silver arrows had something more than the Ferraris, with the McLaren in front followed by Max.

Alonso, 12th

Better performance is expected from Aston Martin on a track that is theoretically better for the characteristics of its car due to its straight line speed and its DRS strength. But those in green need to improve this Saturday. Maybe the rain can open an opportunity for Fernando Alonso to highlight, as has already happened in some classifications of this course. The man from Oviedo was 12th at 1.278, just behind Stroll, just 6 thousandths behind his teammate, who was 11th.

In the dry, the second sector has the most value in the green car, with drivers like Verstappen and the McLarens making the biggest difference. But in the water, Alonso can take out his wand.