Red Bull will be encouraged by their showing at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps as Max Verstappen set the fastest time in second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Spa’s track configuration consists of long straights which is not expected to suit the characteristics of the Red Bull RB12, however, after Friday practice, the Milton Keynes squad will be encouraged with their speed over their competitors.
Force India continued to show an impressive turn of pace, at a circuit which they have traditionally done well at, scoring their only pole position in 2009 courtesy of Giancarlo Fisichella. Nico Hulkenberg was best of the rest in third place ahead of Sebastian Vettel and the second Force India of Sergio Perez.
Mercedes did not show their hand in FP2 with both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton not setting times on the red-marked supersoft tyres. Championship leader Hamilton will start from the back of the grid after taking a 15-place grid penalty as he will use a new engine for this weekend. Rosberg ended the session in sixth place whilst Hamilton was down in 13th.
Spa specialist Kimi Raikkonen was seventh fastest ahead of Romain Grosjean, Jenson Button and the second Haas car of Esteban Gutierrez, who rounded out the top 10.
Manor Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein was an impressive 11th fastest, leading Fernando Alonso. Both Williams struggled for pace and ended the day down in 16th and 17th place respectively.
