Max Verstappen was again the first man behind the wheel of the Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 as second practice got under way at Portimão, mirroring the opening running of FP1.
The Dutchman, driving the #3 car, put in a slightly shorter run than earlier in the day. He had completed 27 laps and more than half a stint in FP1, but this time was limited to 12 laps.
Verstappen opened steadily with a 1:45.980, leaving him down in 55th place of the 61 cars out on track. He soon found more pace, however, dropping to a 1:43.482 that moved the team up to sixth, with Dylan Pereira four tenths quicker at the time in the #99 Audi.
Ben Barnicoat took over after Verstappen's run. The Briton, like the four-time F1 champion, has been drafted in to cover for Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon while the duo fulfil World Endurance Championship commitments.
Barnicoat could not match Verstappen's time, though the drivers were working through different programmes rather than purely chasing a single quick lap. The lap count stood at 25 by the end of his stint.
Chris Lulham then got another chance to build mileage, having had only a single run in FP1. The regular Verstappen Racing driver holds the most experience in the Mercedes of the three, meaning Verstappen and Barnicoat, both seasoned GT3 drivers but more accustomed to the Lexus and McLaren respectively, needed the track time more.
Chris Lulham produces late flyer
Lulham went for a quicker run late in the session and produced a 1:43.229, lifting Verstappen Racing from eighth up to fourth, where the team would go on to finish the session.
Barnicoat was handed the closing minutes to gather as much information as possible ahead of qualifying and the race.
Fabian Schiller was the standout performer in the #17 Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed car, the only driver to dip below the 103-second mark with a 1:42.988. Several drivers had been in the 1:42s during FP1, but a warmer track in the afternoon brought less grip and generally slower lap times. The #99 Audi and #65 Ford also finished ahead of Verstappen Racing.
Qualifying for the GTWCE race at Portimão is scheduled to start at 17:55 local time.
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