Max Verstappen went fastest in second practice for Formula 1’s Turkish Grand Prix to r🐼emain on top of the times🅰heets.

The Red Bull driver rounded out Friday practice on F1’s first 🥀visit to Turkey in nine years by setting the benchmark pace with a 1m28.330s, some 0.401s clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Drivers continued to struggle on Istanbul Park’s new low-grip surface in the afternoon, with many taking a number of laps 🌸to get their tyres up to temperature and set their best times during the Soft-rubber qualജifying simulation runs.

While the pace ultimately dropped compꦚared to the opening 90-minute session, Verstappen’s headline-grabbing time was still three seconds shy than the 2011 pole lap on an abnoꦑrmal day at Istanbul. 

Valtteri Bottas was half a second adrift in third place as the lead Mercedes driver, ꦗwith teammate Lewis Hamilton only fourth-fastest and nearly a second down on a weekend he can seal a record-equalling seventh world title.

After an encouraging morning, early FP2 pacesetter Alex Albon finished the day with the fifth-quickest time, over a full second down on his Red Bull💖 teamm൲ate.

Next up came the AlphaTauri duo of Daniil Kvyat and P🔯ierre Gasly in sixth and seventh, with Sebastian Vettel, Lance Stroll and birthday boy Lando Norris completing the top-10 order for Ferrari, Racing Point and McLaren.

Renault were the surprise absentee from the top-10 in second practice as Esteban Ocon only 🤪managed the 12th-quickest time and Daniel Ricciardo finished a lowly 15th despite enjoying an issue-free session.

Some synchronised spinning occurred at Williams, with George Russell (17th fastest) facing the wrong way at Turn 1 and Nicholas Latifi doing the same at Turn 7 on his way to setting the slowest timಞe of all, five seconds off the pace. 

FULL SECOND PRACTICE RESULTS FOR THE 2020 F1 TURKISH GRAND PRIX