Red Bull’s Verstappen fastest in Belgian GP practice

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: Max Verstappen was the fastest on the opening day of practice for the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo as world champions Mercedes chose to focus on race preparation.

Verstappen set a benchmark time of one minute 48.085 seconds, 0.256 quicker than Ricciardo on a hot and sunny day at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

That was faster than Nico Rosberg’s session-topping time in Friday’s morning session which he set while trialling the ‘halo’ cockpit safety device on his Mercedes.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton, second in the morning, ended the day 13th and 1.697 seconds off the pace.

But he is set to start near the back of the grid after Mercedes fitted two fresh power units to his car ahead of each of Friday’s sessions.

Like Rosberg, he spent the afternoon focused on long-run race simulations with both Mercedes lapping slower than their morning best.

Nico Hulkenberg ended a strong opening day for Force India, running third-quickest ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. His teammate Sergio Perez, fourth in the morning, ended the day fifth.

Fernando Alonso made up for a lack of mileage in the opening session by going 12th fastest in the afternoon.