Motor racing-Verstappen spins but sets the pace in practice for Belgian GP

Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium - August 27, 2021 Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas during practice REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Max Verstappen put Red Bull at the top of the Formula One timesheets before spinning out of Friday's practice for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, looking to revive his title challenge after seeing a 33-point lead turn into an eight point deficit behind Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in the last two races, spun into the barriers with two minutes left on the clock in an incident that brought out the red flags and put an end to the session.