Max Verstappen finished fourteenth in the second free practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday. The Dutchman had so little grip that it felt like he was driving on ice.
That’s what Verstappen said over the radio after about twenty minutes. Just like in the first practice, the Red Bull driver was unable to show himself at the top of the timesheet. “I don’t know what’s going on,” Verstappen said in the final phase. “This car is undriveable.”
The 27-year-old Verstappen eventually conceded 1.167 seconds to Lando Norris, who was the fastest, just like in the first practice. Just like then, his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (+0.291) finished second. Charles Leclerc (+0.399) completed the top three.
For Verstappen, the free practice might have an unpleasant aftermath. Halfway through the practice, he threw a cloth out of his car, probably because one of his mechanics had left it in the car. The stewards are investigating the incident, which could result in a fine or reprimand for Verstappen.
Verstappen was also slower than teammate Yuki Tsunoda (ninth) in fourteenth place. Behind the top three, Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso surprisingly finished fourth and fifth.
The Grand Prix weekend in Budapest will be continued on Saturday at 12:30 PM with the third free practice. The qualification is scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 PM and the race is on Sunday at 3:00 PM.