Max Verstappen’s rivals are adamant Formula 1 is set for a Canada-style multi-team battle at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, but a key set-up change is set to boost the Red Bull driver.
FP2 at Barcelona ended with the top three drivers – Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, Ferrari driver and home hero Carlos Sainz, and McLaren’s Lando Norris – separated by just 0.055s.
Verstappen, meanwhile, finished fifth in second practice – 0.240s off Hamilton’s leading time and behind shock frontrunning interloper Pierre Gasly of Alpine.
Afterwards, Norris called the battle at the front of the field “close again – like it was in Canada”.
“It’s close and it’s going to be about trying to improve the small things [ahead of qualifying],” Norris added.
His team-mate Oscar Piastri agreed: “I think [it was] a bit of a tricky day with the track conditions. It was very hot and lower grip than a lot of us expected.
“I think we’re in a pretty solid place, but it just looks pretty tight. The long-run pace looked pretty good as well. So, all in all, a decent day.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“Maybe not the best Friday of the year, but definitely in the mix and, if I tidy a few things up, we’ll be well and truly in the mix.
“Quite small mistakes are making a big difference. Small differences in tyre preparation and stuff like that. So, expecting another tight session in quali and a tight race as well.”
Hamilton, who felt his day started off “so-so” in FP1, where he was seventh and Norris led the way just ahead of Verstappen, was not quite as categorical, but nevertheless reckoned his Mercedes is “definitely in a better place”.
“I think we’ve got some work to do to improve it overnight and to see if we can hold onto the Red Bulls and the Ferraris and McLarens,” he added.
Verstappen was notably unruffled by ending Friday down the order at a track where Red Bull had been expected to dominate given its smooth layout and long, aerodynamics-testing corners.
“We just tried a few different setups out there in FP1 and FP2, so it was just trying to fine tune a little bit but at least the day itself was a bit a bit more normal without any issues,” he explained.
“So, that’s what we were hoping for. And now it’s about just trying to tidy up a little bit the car, but that’s quite normal.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
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