The Red Bull driver could only manage 12th fastest in the afternoon session,ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ just overꦫ a second down on teammate Max Verstappen who topped the session.

Perez expects to be 🐈in the fight at the front in qualifying despite struggling to get 🦂a lap together in FP2.

Explaining his lack of pace in second practice, Perez said: “I think if we are able to find the rhythm overnight, we should b🐬e able to get some good lap time.

“I got a pretty bad run, some traffic involved, and some changes that probably we took a wronꦫg direction with them. I don’t think we were as bad as it looke🐻d.

“Max had a good day on pace and yes I think we are looking thereꦗ and I think tomorrow hopefully we are able to find a lot of pace overnight, ♑understand a bit the issues and we should be there.”

Verstappen ended second practicౠe 0.008s clear of Va🧸ltteri Bottas.

The Dutchman was pleased with tꦺhe progress Red Bull has made but admits the hot temperatures combined with the gusty wind is making it difficult to nail a lap.

“Yes I think we improved quite well even during the sesꩲsion,” Verstappen added. “Of course, FP1 I wasn’t entirely happy then FP2 also started still not amazing, but I think on the second set, the car felt a lot better, a lot more connected, but it’s still really difficult around here; the track is very hot, it’s quite windy out there, so it’s not easy to nail the lap.  

 Bu🍨t I think overall it’🌃s been a good end to the day, so hopefully we can be competitive tomorrow.”