Verstappen: We can still improve on the fast lap

      Max Verstappen set the sixth-fastest time in the second practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver is optimistic and is preparing for a tight battle with rivals in qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda was more than a second behind the leader and was fourteenth on the timing sheets.

      Max Verstappen (6th): "Everything went smoothly. The car handles pretty well, and that's positive. We managed to find a stable balance on this rather peculiar circuit, but that's exactly what we needed.

      You have to combine all the elements here to put together a good lap. We still lack a little pace on the flying lap, so there's potential to improve both the car and me. Hopefully we'll perform better tomorrow.

      On the long runs everything is fine. In Baku the surface is usually slippery, so the soft tyres have a hard time, but today everything was okay.

      I expect a tight fight between several teams. In that situation it will come down to putting together the perfect lap."

      Yuki Tsunoda (14th): "Today went well, although there's potential to improve on the flying lap. Overall that was to be expected, since in the second practice the team devoted almost all its attention to working on the car's pace over long runs.

      In that respect everything is very good – this year I haven't seen it this good yet. Our solution is working, and that's good. At least on the long runs.

      Confidence under braking is important on this track, and tomorrow we'll focus more on one-lap pace. But, as I said, the car is fast over the long runs, and that's pleasing."