Verstappen: We tried a few things with the car, pretty positive

Verstappen was second fastest in FP1, 0.224s off the pace of session leader Carlos Sainz, but the Dutchman notably spent a considerable amount of time in the team garage, his team working on the setup of his RB18.

Speaking in Red Bull's post session press release, Verstappen reflected: "FP1 I think was quite good, we tried a few things with the car and it was pretty positive.

"We did as much as we could in FP1 as we knew we had to test the tyres in FP2. I tested the C1 tyre which probably isn't the best for this track, it was difficult to get a proper grip on it but at least we completed the programme.

"Looking ahead to tomorrow, I think the long run is still questionable as we didn't get the chance to do that in FP2," the Dutchman revealed.

"I did a track walk yesterday to see the bumps as they resurfaced parts of the track, also good for me to walk off the steaks I've been eating," he joked.

Asked by the media whether having FP2 for tyre testing was a compromise, Verstappen said: "It’s the same for everyone. We have a bit of information from FP1 and I think the car was already in quite a decent window.

"Let’s see tomorrow – first of all – how we are over one lap. The long run is a little bit more of a question mark, just because we all missed FP2, but I think it’s going to be OK," he concluded.

Sergio Perez was fifth fastest in FP1, over four tenths slower than his double Formula 1 Champion teammate, and will also have to deal with a grid penalty on Sunday during the race, as he will be taking a new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).

"We got good information during FP1 so, hopefully tomorrow after not being able to gain as much in FP2 due to the tyre test, we will be able to get everything right and have a decent qualifying session," Perez said at the end of the day.

The Mexican is targeting a decent qualifying session to limit the damage of his grid penalty, revealing some balance issues that need to be sorted on his car.

He is confident though, and said: "Given that we have taken an engine penalty we need a good quali to be able to start as far forward as possible.

"I believe we can go well around this circuit and have a strong pace through the weekend," he insisted.

"I think we need to work a little on the high-speed versus the low-speed balance, we need to improve that to help degradation and everything will come together," Perez concluded.