Brazil: Free Practice 2: Mercedes Leads the Way, Hülkenberg Hits the Wall
During a session marked by Nico Hülkenberg's spectacular off-track excursion, the Mercedes drivers secured the two fastest times with their cars. Notably, tire management promises to be delicate for the upcoming sessions. Blisters were quickly observed on the various tires of certain teams, particularly with Ferrari and Mercedes.
Back to the Brazilian circuit for the second free practice session.
Weather conditions are pleasant for pilots, with dry weather mixing sunny spells and low clouds, all with a temperature of around 20°C.
Temperatures: air 20C track 31C ⛅️ #FP2 #BrazilGP
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 9 novembre 2018
This session will confirm or not the good form of Red Bull on the Interlagos circuit after Max Verstappen’s strong performance in FP1.
The constructors’ title, still contested, will clearly be at the heart of the debates this weekend with Ferrari drivers who will do everything to try to secure the title for their team.
Kimi Räikkönen opens the session on medium tires, followed by Sergei Sirotkin and Nico Hülkenberg.
It’s Nico first out for our team… #RSspirit #BrazilGP #FP2 pic.twitter.com/EsUQtSBcR7
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 9 novembre 2018
Sebastian Vettel starts a flying lap on soft tires and quickly takes the provisional best time of 1:09.565 in the middle of an attack battle with Valtteri Bottas.
Big off-track excursion just ten minutes into the session! Nico Hülkenberg’s Renault goes too wide on the circuit’s final corner, veers into the grass, which sends it straight into the outer walls of the track, the German unable to regain enough grip to steer.
Red flag waved and session stopped to restore the track. The Renault driver is unharmed.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩@HulkHülkenberg into the barriers at Turn 13#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/oy7YT4MeB3
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 novembre 2018
Back on track for the single-seaters seven minutes after the incident. Charles Leclerc, who was in a strong fifth position before the red flag, is the first to return to the asphalt.
The ultrasoft tires now outfit Kimi Räikkönen’s single-seater, who snatches first place from his teammate with a time of 1:09.508, despite a wheel lockup in the final sector. Lewis Hamilton, equipped with soft tires, will remain behind the Ferraris with a time of 1:09.584.
A little lock-up from Kimi, but it doesn’t stop the Finn from going quickest with a 1:09.508s 🚀 #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/xl6keUySAI
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 novembre 2018
After launching a new lap, the British driver takes the lead on the timing board with a 1:09.245 before ceding the top spot to Sebastian Vettel, who outpaces him by over two-tenths. However, Valtteri Bottas then takes the advantage with a time of 1:08.846. The Finn thus beats the best time of FP1 set at 1:09.011 earlier in the day by Max Verstappen.
He remains absent from the session, as his car is undergoing maintenance in the pits due to an engine change between the two sessions. His teammate on the track takes advantage of the Red Bull’s agility to set the fastest time in sector 2, which allows him to secure the third provisional time with a 1:09:164.
Fastest in FP1 but no sign of @Max33Verstappen on track in FP2 yet, but that looks set to change #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/mzgcSCbV2e
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 novembre 2018
Shortly after the mid-session, the Dutchman finally takes to the Interlagos track to join the battle.
Max takes to the track 🤙 40 minutes to go in FP2! 🇧🇷 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/5ruvnojaih
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) 9 novembre 2018
Raindrops are falling on the Brazilian circuit, but the teams are informing the drivers that it shouldn’t last and therefore won’t interfere with the session.
Following Sebastian Vettel’s pit stop, the removed rear soft tires showed significant blistering despite the moderate temperatures during the session. Adjustments are expected from the Italian side.
#Seb5 pitting for supersofts #FP2 #BrazilGP pic.twitter.com/rSXjJGrxxf
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 9 novembre 2018
Last ten minutes of the session and the drivers set off for their final stint.
Once again, blisters are observed on Sebastian Vettel’s super-soft tires, prompting him to quickly ease off to limit the damage.
19 laps old, Seb’s supersofts are showing signs of wear 🔎 #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/i3zZJeZhrj
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 novembre 2018
End of session and the Mercedes complete their tests on long runs. Valtteri Bottas manages his medium tires and records the best lap times, despite some blistering observed.
The Finn maintains his best session time ahead of his teammate.
Great performances by Romain Grosjean and Charles Leclerc, finishing seventh and eighth respectively.
FP2 CLASSIFICATION: @MercedesAMGF1 finish Friday on a high #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/a4A9OPpqyJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) 9 novembre 2018
