P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen claimed being able to fight in the top six in the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be a “good recovery” for Red Bull after a difficult opening day’s practice.
During the second practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit, Sergio Perez of Red Bull finished 14th, three spots ahead of his teammate Verstappen. Both Red Bull drivers were more than a second slower than Lando Norris of McLaren, who set the fastest time. Verstappen expressed confidence that Red Bull can improve their performance and aims to be among the top six competitors. Issues with the car balance hampered Red Bull’s speed on the track, prompting the team to work on solutions overnight. Perez, who ran both practice sessions, is more optimistic about the race pace but acknowledges the need for improvement in one-lap speed. Despite the challenges, both drivers are focused on ensuring the team remains competitive throughout the weekend.