Verstappen blow after car breaks in practice

Max Verstappen was dealt a blow in his bid to win tomorrow’s EmiliaRomagna Grand Prix after he broke down in practice.

The afternoon running in Imola for the second instalment of the championship was barely 10 minutes old when a mechanical failure ended Verstappen’s participation.

The Dutchman, bidding to avenge defeat to Lewis Hamilton at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix last month, pulled over at the end of the pit straight before returning to the Red Bull garage, with his team reporting a suspected driveshaft failure.

Verstappen was left as a helpless bystander as Valtteri Bottas completed a practice double for Mercedes ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen will be back for qualifying today in a bid to improve.