Belgian GP: Max Verstappen streaks clear in Practice 2

Max Verstappen streaked clear of the field in Practice 2 at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver might be starting from the back of the grid due to engine penalties, but he held a massive 0.8s advantage in a tricky session at Spa Francorchamps.

Cool temperatures and damp patches from earlier rain meant drivers were having to be careful, particularly in the middle sector.

But not of that fazed Verstappen who would set a 1m45.507s, the only driver to go under 1m46s in either session.

Charles Leclerc, another driver taking a grid penalty, was second as Ferrari opted to go aggressive with very low downforce levels on the F1-75.

Once again, the pecking order was mixed with Lando Norris third for McLaren, ahead of Lance Stroll, who made it a pair of P4’s on Friday in the Aston Martin.

Carlos Sainz was in fifth with Lewis Hamilton sixth for Mercedes, who struggled to get heat into the harder compound tyres in the cooler conditions.

Fernando Alonso sat in seventh, a full second clear of Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon in 16th, and ahead of George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo in ninth.

Sergio Perez had a minor delay caused by a hydraulic leak to his DRS but would complete the top 10 in the second Red Bull, albeit 1.8s slower than Verstappen.

After the soft tyre runs that set the best times of the session, the race simulations would be disrupted by the arrival of more rain causing a few nervous moments through Eau Rouge as the weather worsened.

Full results from Practice 2 can be seen below: