Verstappen optimistic after fifth place: 'That's what we were hoping for'

Max Verstappen was reasonably satisfied after the second free practice session in Spain. After difficult weekends in Canada and Monaco, Verstappen was happy that the first day in Barcelona went off without any major problems.

"Just tried a few different setups out there, FP1, FP2, so it's just trying to fine-tune a little bit. But at least I think the day itself was a bit more normal without any issues. So that's what we were hoping for and now it's about just trying to tidy up the car a little bit, but that's quite normal," Verstappen revealed to F1TV after the session.

Red Bull Racing also presented updates for the race weekend in Spain. Asked about those updates, however, Verstappen downplayed them. "They were very tiny. It's nothing too big. But so far everything is feeling normal."

Verstappen finished the second free practice in fifth place. Verstappen had to beat Hamilton, Sainz, Norris and even Pierre Gasly. Verstappen was over two tenths slower than Hamilton's fastest time but seems to have little to worry about on Friday.