Max Verstappen tops second practice, as normal service resumed for FP2 as all the drivers were back in their seats. A dusty track proved treacherous for some, with many drivers struggling to get to grips with the track
Opening of the session
Medium tyres for most of the field as Liam Lawson emerged first out of the pitlane.
Antonelli had a difficult start to the session with an engine issue within the first 2 minutes. The Italian returned to the pits for a brief ten minute stoppage before returning to the track.
Leclerc topped the times for the first set of runs with a time of 1.18.669. The Ferrari driver 0.012s clear of Lando Norris in second.
Off track excursions for some
After missing FP1, Norris started off strong placing his car just behind Leclerc, despite complaining about misfires and power surges on team radio.
High track temperatures of over 40 degrees along with dust caused problems for many of the drivers with George Russell and Norris both struggling to keep their cars on the track at turn 11.
A strong lap by Hamilton sent him up the timesheets into third ahead of Oscar Piastri. The Australian in need of a good result but struggled throughout the session to match his teammate.
Bortoletto led the midfield in 6th followed by Alonso on mediums and Stroll on softs.
A close moment for Alex Albon saw the Thai driver clip the wall but with minimal damage he was able to continue.
Tyre degradation trouble for McLaren
Half way through the session and soft tyres were the tyres of choice for most as qualifying simulations got underway.
Both McLarens had difficulty in the final sectors of their laps of their qualifying laps due to tyre degradation with Piastri finding himself 0.840s off top spot.
Verstappen led the field with a lap time of 1.17.392 followed by Leclerc and Antonelli, both within 2 tenths of Verstappen.
Tsunoda sat in an impressive fourth, ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
The Checkered flag is out
The session finished with Max Verstappen in P1 with a lap time of 1.17.392, Charles LeClerc in P2 with a lap time of 1.17.545 and Kimi Antonelli in P3 with a lap time of 1.17.566.
Norris sat fourth with Hamilton rounding out the top five. The re-energised Ferrari driver fractionally ahead of his old teammate Russell in sixth.
With the times being this close, it’s hard to call who will be on pole tomorrow. Will Ferrari or Mercedes take pole from the championship contenders?
With a championship fight escalating, it’s going to make for an exciting qualifying session.
Feature Image Credits: Formula 1