Max third fastest after Silverstone FP1

Published on 12 July 2019 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen started his British Grand Prix weekend with the third quickest time during the first free practice session. His Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team mate, Pierre Gasly, was fastest around the fast Silverstone circuit. Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas clocked the second best time of the morning.

The session is off to a slow start. Apart from the customary installation laps, the action does not get underway until twenty minutes into practice. When most drivers finally hit the track, it is Haas’ Romain Grosjean that steals all the attention. Upon exiting the pits, the Frenchman spins and hits the pit barrier, losing his front wing in the process.

After Grosjean’s incident, which causes a Virtual Safety Car until the Haas is back in the pits, most drivers take to the track to put their first timed laps on the board. In the process, it appears that the new track surface provides less than grip than expected with local heroes Lando Norris (McLaren) and George Russell (Williams) both spinning.

Moments later, the first and only red flag of the session is thrown. Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa Romeo is producing a lot of smoke and noise, before grinding to a halt at Luffield with what appears to be an engine or gear box problem.

When the session resumes, dark clouds are hovering over the Silverstone circuit, highlighting the chance of rain during this Grand Prix weekend.

On his second attempt, Grosjean manages to negotiate the pit lane exit safely but on his first timed lap, the Frenchman spins. Luckily for the Haas driver, there is no damage, but his start to the weekend is far from ideal.

With less than half an hour to go, several drivers are venturing off-track into the run-off areas. “I think it rains”, informs Max his pit-crew, after which his engineer warns him not to take any risks. Because of a brand new asphalt layer, the track is slippery despite only a few drops.

Mercedes send their drivers out on intermediates but both return to the pits after just one lap to switch back to slick tyres. The rain stays clear and the track is getting ever faster with the quickest laps clocked in the closing stages. In the end, it is Pierre Gasly who tops the leader boards, ahead of Bottas and Max.

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Results first free practice Great Britain: