Max Verstappen drove the second fastest time in the first free practice session for the American Grand Prix in Austin. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was the fastest. Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Pérez was fifth and has been told he will be penalized for five spots on Sunday for replacing his engine.

At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc had to give way to the young Robert Shwartzman on Friday. Rookies were also allowed to show themselves to other teams. Antonio Giovanazzi had a chance to run for the spotlight with Haas, but he soon hit the wall.

The RB18, Verstappen’s car, which was the fastest for a time with its first ‘flying lap’, was tinkered with in practice. Everything has to be right for the Red Bull cars on Sunday, because this weekend the team can win the constructors’ championship.

In addition, Verstappen wants to surpass the record number of victories in one season of the Germans Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel in the remaining four Grands Prix. He has twelve wins, Schumacher and Vettel share the record with thirteen wins in one year.

About ten minutes before the end of practice, Verstappen was sent back onto the track. He improved his own time but was slower than Sainz, who had set the fastest lap in the minutes that Verstappen was in the pits.

For Red Bull, the main thing in the first practice session was finding the right setup for the cars. Certainly Verstappen’s RB18 seemed to need some work done. The second free practice session will take place this evening at 00.00 Dutch time.