After the track was like an ice rink on the first practice session, this session was always going to be the more relevant one. However grip didn’t improve as much as the drivers and teams would’ve wanted.
Max Verstappen set the fastest time on a 1.28.330, retaining the top spot from FP1. Charles Leclerc was fast in the qualifying runs and is showing promise in the Ferrari. The two Mercedes’ of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton were third and fourth. Many are speculating if the Mercedes struggles on a slippery surface like this, however they also could be sandbagging.
Alex Albon was fifth ahead of the two AlphaTauri cars of Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly, despite a few spins, AlphaTauri are looking good round this track with plenty of upgrades. Sebastian Vettel was eighth fastest ahead of Lance Stroll in ninth with Lando Norris rounding out the top 10.
There will be a lot of head-scratching today after a difficult day, many drivers coming a cropper on the tricky surface. If it doesn’t improve much more we could be in for an enthralling race.
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