Although Max Verstappen enters this year as the defending Champion, the consensus is that he could struggle to claim a fifth world title. Red Bull’s development last season was poor by the Austrian team’s usual standards,

Verstappen was not the only Red Bull struggler, as his new team-mate Liam Lawson was a lowly 17th in Friday's second session, more than a second behind leader Leclerc. The Kiwi will be under pressure to at least cling onto Verstappen's coat-tails this season after earning a rapid promotion from Racing Bulls.