Verstappen continued Red Bull’s ▨impressive start to the 2021 season as he ended both practice sessions in Portugal in second place.

While Red Bull’s pace seemed to be up t💯here with Mercedes, Portimao’s low grip surface made it𒐪 tricky for the drivers.

The Algarve International Circuit was resurfaced just💜 before las🐽t year’s grand prix. 

Warmer weather this time around didn’t appear to improve track conditions,ꦛ with Verstappen expr🔥essing his frustrations after second practice.

“It was alright, just very tricky out there with the tarmac again,” Verstappen said. “It’s super slippery. I know it’s the same fo♔r everyone but it’s not really enjoyable to drive.

“Of course the tyres have changed and of ♚course we’ve lost a bit of grip from the carꦓ compared to last year but yeah, it’s very tricky out there and it’s a shame. Because it’s all about tyre prep, tyre temperature, and it shouldn’t be like that, but it’s, of course, like I said before, it’s the same for everyone.”

Reigning world champ𓆉ion Lewis Hamilton criticised Pirelli’s decision to bring its hardest three tyre compounds to this weekend's race - with the C1, C2 and C3 compoun♚ds available to teams in Portugal.

“We came here last year and the tyre was too hard and came here again and the same tyre, so it’s pretty much… they’re h⛦arder this year, so it feels like we’ve come with the too hard compound, in my opinion, it should have been mid-range, [C] 2 3 4, but e✤veryone’s on the same ones so we’ll get through it somehow,” Hamilton added.

“I think as it got hotter it got slower, this morning it seemed a bit better then it got windier and warmer this afternoon so seems to havꦫe made it harder for people to find time and work on💜 the balance on tyres, will be interesting to see if it stays the same at the weekend.”