Verstappen explains RB21 'is not where they want it' in challenging conditions

Verstappen set the third fastest lap time on the soft tyres in FP2, and finished only behind Oscar Piastri and George Russell. Moreover, he set the exact same time as Lando Norris, but he did so earlier than the Briton.

"It is always nice to be here in Barcelona and enjoyable to drive this track. It was pretty hot out there today, especially for the tyres," Verstappen began in his team's press release.

"I think that it was an okay Friday for us and I felt a bit happier with the car. However we are still not where we want to be but will just continue to keep working at it. There are always ways where we can look at what we are doing and maximise our performance and find more time. Of course, every track is different but we are getting there with the set up of the car. I have also had Fridays where things weren’t working so I would say this is a bit more positive," he rated the RB21's performance.

As he was doing his long run during the final part of the session, Verstappen tried to overtake Charles Leclerc on the start/finish straight. However, also doing his long run, the Ferrari driver opened his DRS (something that is not usually the case in such situation), and stayed ahead the defending world champion.