Mercedes then locked in for another run on soft tyres, with a 1m 34.475s from Russell and a 1m 34.341s from Lewis Hamilton – restoring their one-two formation at the start of the weekend as the times in the second training came closer to the 1m 33.825s benchmark.

Meanwhile, Verstappen’s problems continued as the Dutchman reported that his car “only got worse” and became “undriveable”. He used harder tires and referred to a problematic left front: “I can’t drive it. I’m going to crash.”

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However, things would improve with a visit to the Red Bull garage and a switch to soft rubber. Verstappen comes back onto the track and clocks a time of 1:34.137 seconds, ahead of the Mercedes drivers, who had switched positions thanks to more Russell. profits.

Verstappen’s ‘miles better’ lap opened a new series of gentle efforts, but the action was halted with around seven minutes remaining as Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin lost power and came to a halt at the side of the track.

As there was not enough time for any more flying laps after Stroll’s car was cleared, only a small number of drivers completed their second run on soft tyres, leading to a final order from Russell (1m 33.570s), Piastri, Sainz, Norris and Verstappen, while Hamilton missed out on sixth place in FP1 and FP2.