Verstappen almost a second clear of Leclerc in Belgian GP FP2

Max Verstappen was quickest in second practice for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix, ending the session nearly one second clear of Charles Leclerc.

The Red Bull driver, who was third in FP1 earlier on Friday, was among the first drivers to switch to the Soft tyres for the qualifying simulation runs, and pumped in a 1:45.503s lap to comfortably go top.

Leclerc, with whom Verstappen will drop to the rear after taking engine-related grid penalties, was the only driver within a second of the Dutchman, clocking in at 1:46.369s – some 0.862s slower.

FP1 pace-setter Carlos Sainz could only manage fifth place, 1.142s slower than Verstappen, with both Lando Norris (third) and Lance Stroll (fourth) nudging ahead of the Spaniard.

The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were sixth and eighth, respectively – Alpine's Fernando Alonso the meat in the sandwich.

Sainz fails to capitalise on early blows

In the initial trading of laps early the session, Verstappen and Sainz exchanged P1 on the timesheets, both cars equipped with the yellow-marked Medium tyres, with Sainz being blocked at Turn 15 by Sebastian Vettel on one lap.

Verstappen was the first to break the 1m47s barrier, eventually ending that segment some 0.540s clear of his former Toro Rosso teammate.

Once the red-marked Soft tyres were bolted on, Sainz went back top with a 1m46.649s effort, before both Leclerc and Verstappen eclipsed him.

The reigning World Champion's time of 1m45.503s was unbeatable as the field returned to the pits for the turnaround ahead of race simulations.

Hamilton and Russell complained of tyre warm-up on the W13, but both ended within the top 10.

Sergio Perez could only manage a 1m47.346s time, good enough for 10th and some 1.839s behind teammate Verstappen.

However, the race simulations were interrupted as light rain began to fall at Spa-Francorchamps with about 20 minutes of the 60-minute session left on the clock.

Albon impresses for Williams

Williams driver Alex Albon clocked the 11th fastest time – a 1m47.520s to follow on from his sixth place in the earlier session.

His teammate, Nicholas Latifi, was 19th fastest, nearly one second slower.

Pierre Gasly was back in the AlphaTauri, having relinquished it for FP1 to Liam Lawson.

The Frenchman was a respectable 14th fastest, and just over a tenth slower than Yuki Tsunoda in the sister AT03.

After his car ground to a halt in FP1, Kevin Magunssen did not suffer any delay and was immediately out in the Haas.

He ended in 17th, a strong 1.7s clear of Mick Schumacher who finished 20th and last with a 1m49.941s lap time.