Verstappen ahead of the Ferraris in the second test, Saint in the barriers

Carlos Sainz performed on soft rubber in the second free practice of the Monaco GP, the 6th Formula 1 race of the year, owning the first year. However, 15 minutes before the end of the one-hour process he hit the front right wheel of the Ferrari SF-23 on the right side barrier at the entrance of the dam chicane.

With the suspension broken the Spaniard was unable to turn at the left-hand chicane, ending up at the exit barrier – prompting a one-minute red stoppage.

In the first half hour, on the middle tyre, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton overlapped each other at the top of the times – with the former looking to solve the RB19 configuration problems he had in early tests, and the latter getting used to the harsh conditions. changes he introduced this three-day Mercedes in W14.

Finally, Verstappen set the fastest lap on the medium tyre, followed by qualifying laps on the soft tyre. Previously, and for a total of 10 minutes, the first year was held by Alonso in – also renewed – Aston Martin AMR23, before being removed from the top by Carlos Sainz.

Verstappen then entered the circuit on the medium tyre, who showed fast pace but lost time in the second and third parts of the circuit, on his first fast lap. The Dutchman, however, was faster than Charles Leclerc, who had problems with the Ferrari SF-23 bouncing around the slow corners.

Alonso tried to recover in the first year but crashed in traffic, while Verstappen did so on his next lap – less than a third behind Leclerc, who was able to move up to second.

Then Saint’s crash happened, and the track was reopened with 12 minutes to go. However, the teams until the checkered flag were more committed to the laps of the race simulation, and the top times did not change.

Alonso followed in fourth just two tenths behind Verstappen, and ahead of Lando Norris who was twice adrift of the lead in the McLaren MCL60 – which first suffered electrical problems that delayed the Briton’s schedule, then the power supply system.

Hamilton eventually finished fifth, suggesting he didn’t have the pace to do better – although he was 31 milliseconds ahead of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull RB19.