Monaco GP: Verstappen quickest after Sainz crashes in Practice 2

Max Verstappen proved Red Bull is still the team to beat by topping Practice 2 at the Monaco Grand Prix.

After a difficult opening session earlier on Friday, the Dutchman reclaimed P1 on the timesheet by setting a 1m12.462s as drivers put on the soft tyres for the first time this weekend.

That put Verstappen just 0.065s ahead of local hero Charles Leclerc for Ferrari and a tenth clear of FP1 pacesetter Carlos Sainz in third.

However, Sainz’s day would end in the barriers at the Swimming Pool chicane after the Spaniard hit the inside Armco at the first apex damaging his suspension.

Fernando Alonso was fourth, two-tenths off the pace, as the double world champion wasn’t quite able to put the perfect lap together due to traffic on the streets of Monte Carlo.

2021 Monaco podium finisher Lando Norris took fifth for McLaren, pipping Lewis Hamilton in the heavily revised Mercedes in sixth.

Sergio Perez was over half a second behind his Red Bull teammate in seventh, with Valtteri Bottas a strong eighth for Alfa Romeo.

Alpine pair Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon rounded out the top 10. Lance Stroll was 11th, 0.006s faster than George Russell, who continues to look uncomfortable in the upgraded Mercedes.

Zhou Guanyu claimed 13th, ahead of the two Haas’ of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. 

Yuki Tsunoda was 16th with Nyck de Vries looking more competitive in 17th, just 0.022s behind his Japanese teammate.

Oscar Piastri was 18th, as Williams rebuilt Alex Albon’s car in time for the Thai driver to complete some flying laps late on and finish 19th, this after crashing at Sainte Devote in Practice 1.

Logan Sargeant completed the field in the second Williams.

Full lap times from Practice 2 can be seen below: