In contrast to the first free practice session of the Spanish GP, the 7th race of this year’s Formula 1 at the Barcelona circuit, the second one was quite interesting: in the qualifying test simulation, 17 of the 20 drivers were within the same second.

Still, Max Verstappen stayed in the lead in the second session, which stayed dry despite the threatening clouds in the skies over Catalonia – in a Red Bull RB19 that was adapted to the aerodynamic data of the Montmelo circuit. The Dutchman showed from the start that he had found the settings to get Milton Keynes’ car back on its feet in those three days.

In the opening minutes, many drivers once again used Pirelli’s experimental new tyres, which will be introduced to the sport from the British GP onwards. Verstappen was again fastest initially on the new hard C1, before the two Ferrari SF-23s – with all their design improvements made over the three days – came out unusually early on the soft rubber.

Carlos Sainz was first 6 tenths ahead of his compatriots and then – in the second attempt of the two Scuderia drivers – 2 tenths faster than his Scuderia colleague Charles Leclerc. Sainz’s time was soon beaten by Verstappen on the medium tyre, but the Ferrari Spaniard responded with another fast lap on the soft tyre, clocking the time at 1’14.274 and putting him back in front.

Very quickly, Leclerc took the lead by 28 milliseconds until Verstappen, on his first fast lap on the tyre, set the fastest lap of 1:13.907. With this time – the only one under 1:14 – the Dutchman stayed at the top until the end.

Then came the surprise of Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg, who set the fastest lap of the day in the Haas VF-23 on the first leg, catching Verstappen to within 0.27 inches. And in the end Alonso came up with the fastest pass in the third leg between the Dutch and the Germans.

Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull RB19 and Esteban Ocon in the Alpine A523 saw the two Ferraris drop to 6th and 7th towards the end before all drivers switched to the two harder tires to collect data for the lap series. This did not change anything in the standings up to the checkered flag.

Mercedes were dropped to 8th with George Russell – who retired early at Turn 10 when he met Oscar Piastri’s slow-moving McLaren – and 11th with Lewis Hamilton. The two Englishmen were 0.48 and 0.64 seconds behind Verstappen respectively, with the W14 receiving further new components over the three days – after the one in Monaco.

Brackley’s car bounced again in the last two fast corners on the new layout of the Montmelo circuit, which – for the first time in 17 years – disrupted the final chicane.

Although Alonso doesn’t seem to have quite the speed at the front that the Aston Martin AMR23 needs to threaten Verstappen and perhaps the Ferraris, who are quite quick in the one round of qualifying testing, he’s further behind – with such small ones Intervals – unpredictable struggle in tomorrow’s (03.06., 17:00) qualifying tests of the Spanish GP.

However, the rather ominous sky over these three days can change the facts: in addition to the cloud cover, which lowers the temperature of the tarmac – with all the consequences this has for tire management in the race – the chance of rain is high both in tomorrow’s qualifying tests and at the GP on Sunday.

From November 16th to 18th, the heart of motorsport will be beating in Sin City USA. Formula 1 will be in Las Vegas for the most glamorous Grand Prix of the season. The organizers are also offering an incredible $888,000 package for those who want a truly incredible experience.

What does the Resorts World 888 Experience include?

• 1 Palace Suite
• Private butler service
• 6 Paddock Club tickets
• 10 tickets for the main stage
• First class private air transport
• Transfers from and to the airport
• Transfers to and from Paddock Club
• VIP nightclub experience
• VP experience at a spa
• 8 VIP theater tickets
• 1 entourage suite
• 4 superior rooms
• 4 personal tailoring and styling services
• A multi-course dinner for up to 6 people

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is ​​held on the streets of the city. The track has a length of 6120 meters, 17 curves and a straight of 1900 meters. As one can easily see, the celebrities who were in Miami a few days ago will outnumber those who are heading to Nevada for this historic game.