In Q2, he was ahead of a Fernando Alonso, who pressed on the Montmeló circuit. The double world champion and current leader of the championship, who wore soft tires, like all his opponents, led Alonso (Aston Martin) by 170 thousandths, while the German Nico Hülkenberg achieved an unexpected third place with his Haas.
The Mexican Sergio “Checo” Pérez (Red Bull) set the fourth fastest time, 0.0312 behind his teammate Verstappen, ahead of the Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine).
Ferrari, which has added several novelties to its car for this Spanish Grand Prix, achieved sixth and seventh place with the Monegasque Charles Leclerc and the Spanish Carlos Sainz.
Mercedes, which had used new sidepods in Monaco last weekend, continued to test these novelties at this more traditional circuit of Montmeló and set the eighth and eleventh fastest times with the British George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Ninth place and tenth place went to the Finn Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine), respectively, just over half a second behind Verstappen.
The disappointment of the session was starred by Canadian Lance Stroll, who only managed a poor 18th position with the second Aston Martin.
Before, ‘Mad Max’ had already dominated the first free practice session. He had imposed himself with authority on his competitors, with 768 and 814 thousandths of an advantage over Pérez and Ocon, second and third place in the batch.
On Saturday, the drivers will carry out a third and final free practice session, before disputing the qualifying session.
First places of the 2nd free practice session:
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:13.907 (33 laps)
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:14.077 (30)
Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1:14.177 (31)
Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 1:14.219 (29)
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:14.242 (30)
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1:14.246 (32)
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1:14.274 (32)
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1:14.392 (31)
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo-Ferrari) 1:14.448 (32)