Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen spots silver linings despite 'decent gap we need to close'

17:16, 05 Dec

0 Comments

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen ended the first day on track in Abu Dhabi just behind his title rival, Lando Norris.

“Seems like it’s a decent gap that we need to close, but from our side we’ll just try to put the best car forward”

- Max Verstappen

The Dutchman was still nearly four tenths off the pace over a single lap, further highlighting how much Norris loves Yas Marina and his ability to extract performance there right away.

“(The car was) pretty okay,” he told Sky Sports after FP2. “I was fairly happy with the car, we just need to be probably a little bit faster. I think still not quick enough, but I think overall we’ve been in a, for us, I think in a decent window around here.”

When asked if he had resolved the handling issues he faced in FP1, the Dutchman added: “That’s a constant fight, that’s nothing new.”

Has Max Verstappen been lucky three times in a row? - Photo: RacePictures

He finally added: “Seems like it’s a decent gap that we need to close, but from our side we’ll just try to put the best car forward. Let's see how much we can find overnight.”

Marko fears for Verstappen's title after practice sessions in Abu Dhabi

The Austrian advisor summed up the first two practice sessions, where Verstappen was the second fastest driver on track after Norris, both over a single lap and race pace.

Marko said he was moderately satisfied, noting that Red Bull “had worse Fridays” earlier in the season, but stressed there’s still work to do to beat McLaren.

Here’s what he had to say at the end of the day.

Read also

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.