Belgian Grand Prix: Verstappen on top in Red Bull one-two

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Dutch teenager Max Verstappen delighted his army of fans in the forests of the Ardennes on Friday afternoon when he topped the times in second free practice for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old Red Bull driver, who was born 50 kilometres away from the sprawling and majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit at Hasselt in Belgium, clocked a best lap of one minute and 48.085 seconds.

That allowed him to outpace Australian team-mate Daniel Ricciardo by two-tenths as the Renault-powered outfit delivered a strong one-two showing.

It was the third time in Verstappen’s brief Formula One career that he had topped the session times and did so in front of thousands of supporters camping under the trees in the unexpected heat-wave conditions.

“Compared to our rivals, we showed great pace,” said Vertstappen. “I am happy to finish P1, but of course it’s only practice. It’s not qualifying or the race.”

He dismissed suggestions that he could realise a dream by taking pole at his ‘home’ circuit.

“I never dream,” he said. “I just want to work and then we’ll see where we end up.”

With Hamilton due to start from the back of the grid after taking two successive new power units, Verstappen may have a chance to claim a memorable win.