Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen remained on top during second practice for the Styrian Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton had the best overall time deleted.
Verstappen led the way during a busy morning session as drivers carried out packed programmes amid the risk of rain falling in the afternoon.
That rain that loomed on the horizon stayed away, aside from light drizzle early in the session, allowing drivers to remain on slick tyres throughout the session at the Red Bull Ring.
Hamilton clocked a time of 1:05.335s to move fastest as drivers carried out Soft tyre runs but Race Control deemed he had exceeded track limits through the final corner.
Hamilton’s time was duly scrubbed from the record, promoting Verstappen to top spot, with the Red Bull driver registering a time of 1:05.412s on his qualifying simulation.
Hamilton’s next-best time was sufficient for him to place fourth.
Verstappen consequently finished with a comfortable advantage of over three-tenths of a second at a venue with a short lap time and only 10 corners.
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo finished second for his best showing since joining McLaren while Alpine’s Esteban Ocon classified third.
Fernando Alonso capped an encouraging day for Alpine by placing fifth.
Low-key showings for ‘second’ drivers
The role of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas has come under scrutiny in 2021 as their respective team-mates contest the lead of the standings.
But on Friday both drivers finished several positions behind their more distinguished counterparts.
Perez finished the day in ninth while Bottas was only 12th, having suffered a bizarre spin in the pit lane.
Bottas exited his pit box on Hard tyres but as he tried to lay down rubber he spun in front of the McLaren mechanics, who were standing at the edge of the garage.
McLaren’s Sporting Director Paul James radioed the FIA to label the situation “absolutely ridiculous” and warning that “he could have taken our guys out there.”
Bottas has been summoned to the stewards in order to explain the incident.
Mixed midfield fortunes
Aston Martin had one of its strongest Friday displays of the season as Sebastian Vettel finished sixth, with Lance Stroll eighth, split by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Conversely Ferrari’s subdued showing continued as neither of its drivers classified within the top 10.
Carlos Sainz rotated through Turn 4 en route to 11th overall while Charles Leclerc – on pole at the venue in 2019 – was down in 13th position.
There was also a setback for one of 2021’s standout midfield runners.
Pierre Gasly had classified a strong second in FP1 as he continued his and AlphaTauri’s recent good form.
But power unit provider Honda outlined prior to the start of the session that it had detected an anomaly within the data and needed to undertake a check of his engine.
As a consequence Gasly was unable to take part in the session; AlphaTauri’s sole representative Yuki Tsunoda wound up 15th, in front only of the Williams and Haas representatives.
Saturday’s final practice session is scheduled for 12:00 local time.
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