sport">Earlier in the day it was the other way around. Landon Norris managed to reach the third fastest time. Pierre Gasly managed to reach fourth place. Alexander Albon finished only fourteenth.
sport">“It was not a good day”, Verstappen realized after the second session. “We are struggling with the balance in the car and the grip in general. So we still have some work to do. Hopefully we can solve that. ”
sport">Verstappen crashed earlier in the day at the first free practice session of the Grand Prix of Italy. At the Monza circuit, the Dutchman lost control of the car. The damage was limited for Verstappen and Red Bull.
sport">After Belgium, where Max Verstappen finished third last week behind Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas (both Mercedes), it is now Italy’s turn to welcome the Formula 1 circus.
sport">The backdrop was the Monza circuit, where Verstappen ended up in the rubber tires with his Red Bull car during the first free practice. At high speed, the 22-year-old Limburger lost control when he bounced over the curb stones with his RB16. In the end, the damage was limited, although the nose of the car suffered.
sport">The red flag was quickly pulled out of the closet, but after a short while intermezzo the drivers continued with the free practice. Verstappen was able to return to the circuit on his own and went straight to the pits.
sport">When the crash occurred, there were still about 45 minutes left for the first free practice. The RB16 was quickly repaired by the mechanics – due to damage to the floor and front wing – and sent back on the track.
sport">In the end, Verstappen managed to set fifth fastest, despite the crash. The fastest lap was set by Bottas, followed closely by Hamilton. Alexander Albon, teammate of Verstappen, set the third fastest time.
Program and position
sport">Number three is still scheduled for Saturday, followed by qualifying (3 p.m.). Sunday’s race starts at 3.10 p.m.
sport">watch here the standings in the world championship and click here for the (remaining) program in Formula 1.
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