STROLL IN COLLISION AT PORTUGUESE GP PRACTICE

Max Verstappen and Montreal’s Lance Stroll collided in an eventful second practice for the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years on Friday, while Valtteri Bottas set the pace for Formula One champions Mercedes. There was plenty of swearing from Verstappen over the team radio after the impact as he tried to go through on the inside, including suggesting Stroll was blind. “I was so surprised that he just turned in while I was coming up to him. I don’t know where I had to go,” said the Dutchman, who refused to apologize for his language. “It was just very unnecessary.” Racing Point boss Otmar Szafnauer saw it differently: “I can assure you 100 per cent that Max knew Lance was there ... but Lance doesn’t know Max was there. It’s pretty simple for me.” Verstappen still ended the day second fastest, half a second slower than Bottas, with Mercedes’ six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton second in the morning and then eighth after lunch. Hamilton will be chasing a record 92nd career win on Sunday.