Overview

• Verstappen has not won in four races but hopes to break the streak at his home Grand Prix.
• Lando Norris is 78 points behind Verstappen and seeks to close the gap with a strong performance.
• Mercedes' George Russell topped the timesheets in the second practice session, showing potential for the weekend.
• Jack Doohan has been promoted to an F1 seat at Alpine, replacing Esteban Ocon for the next season.
• Christian Horner was relieved after a colleague's appeal over inappropriate behavior was dismissed.