Max Verstappen set the pace for Red Bull during the second practice session for Formula 1’s Russian Grand Prix.
In warm and overcast conditions at the Sochi Autodrom Verstappen moved to the front with a time of 1:33.162s on Pirelli’s Soft tyres, at a venue where Red Bull has previously struggled.
Verstappen, who will take a five-place grid penalty due to changing an engine component, was 0.335s faster than Charles Leclerc, who had fronted the morning’s action for Ferrari.
Mercedes was again slightly off the pace, with Valtteri Bottas third and Lewis Hamilton fourth, six- and seven-tenths respectively behind Verstappen.
Sebastian Vettel, who aborted his first push lap, was fifth, a second down on Verstappen, while Pierre Gasly was the best of the midfield group, eight-tenths further behind.
Gasly narrowly avoided clashing with Toro Rosso team-mate Daniil Kvyat through Turn 2, as the Russian – who had just been released from the pit lane – backed off, much to the surprise of Gasly.
Racing Point’s Sergio Perez was seventh as the team continued to evaluate the front wing that it introduced in Singapore, while Nico Hulkenberg was once more the quicker Renault driver in eighth.
Perez’s Racing Point team-mate Lance Stroll sealed a strong day for the team as he took ninth, while McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top 10.
Alexander Albon suffered suspected floor damage and was unable to carry out a Soft tyre run until late on, which he wrecked by going wide, and his second effort left him down in 11th place.
Home representative Kvyat – who will start the race from the back of the grid owing to engine component changes – was 12th, ahead of Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Kimi Raikkonen, Romain Grosjean, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Antonio Giovinazzi.
Williams finished substantially off the pace as per most of its 2019 season.
George Russell was eight-tenths down on Giovinazzi while Robert Kubica was a further second behind his team-mate.
Final practice will begin at 12:00 local time on Saturday
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