SOCHI, Russia – Max Verstappen gave Aston Martin Red Bull Racing a rare bright spot on Russian soil Friday by laying down the fastest lap of the day at Sochi Autodrom.
Verstappen, whose best time of 1:33.162 around the 3.634-mile, 18-turn course came in the second free practice session, is hoping to give Red Bull its first victory in the six-year history of the Russian Grand Prix.
Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport has run the table in the previous five editions of the event, with defending race winner Lewis Hamilton winning in 2014, 2015 and last year.
Verstappen edged opening practice pacesetter Charles Leclerc, whose Ferrari was second overall in the final round at 1:33.497, a third of a second off the leading pace.
Valtteri Bottas led the way for Mercedes in third, a time of 1:33.808 being his best, while Hamilton was a distant fourth on the time sheets at 1:33.960.
Both Mercedes runners had issues in first practice on Friday, with Hamilton going into the runoff area at turn two, while Bottas suffered an apparent DRS-related rear-wing failure late in the opening session. Both drivers successfully rebounded in second practice.
Sebastian Vettel completed the top five on Friday, a second off the top time, followed by Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, Perez’s teammate Lance Stroll and the second Red Bull of Alexander Albon.