Japan – Free Practice 2: The Ocean Liner Hamilton Dominates the Waves
The second free practice session took place without really happening. After being cut in half, the session began, but only five drivers completed a timed lap. In a respectable British manner, Lewis Hamilton took matters into his own hands to deliver a fast lap, putting him well ahead. Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez followed the Mercedes driver.
Cyclonic conditions have taken over the paddock this early afternoon; the rains are far too intense to allow anyone on the track for now.
Session delayed! #JapaneseGP #FP2 pic.twitter.com/cFlAymfBmE
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 6 octobre 2017
At 2:15 PM (local time), the race management decided to send the safety car onto the track to assess the track conditions. Unsurprisingly, a new inspection will be conducted at 2:30 PM. For now, the only observable performances are those of paper beauties rolling down the pit lane.
Hey @SauberF1Team, I see you’re taking up our boat race challenge! 👏👏 #JapaneseGP #PinkPanthers pic.twitter.com/Q41Vhjbbct
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 6 octobre 2017
Also noteworthy is the impressive time recorded by a duck this afternoon, as it is the only one to have taken to the track so far.
Could be one of those sessions…
SSF1: https://t.co/xnnS79r8dN
Blog: https://t.co/uRfTBudj9G #SkyF1 #JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/KN53EghdE7— Sky Sports F1 🏎 (@SkySportsF1) 6 octobre 2017
Following the inspection carried out at 2:30 PM with two reconnaissance laps by the safety car, the race management decided to allow the session to begin at 2:45 PM. The drivers will therefore start for a half-session. At the green light, no single-seater appears at the end of the pit lane, and at Red Bull, they seem even less hurried as both cars are without wheels and without a nose, on the stands.
At Mercedes, there’s no question of going too fast either, Hamilton and Bottas stay in the garage’s cool room. The first to finally take to the track after 6 minutes is Kimi Räikkönen, followed by Nico Hülkenberg to assess the conditions in his turn. Both return after this lap while Jolyon Palmer goes out for a lap himself.
Despite the opportunity given by race management to take to the track, the trend is to stay in the pits because the amount of water on the track is too great. Drivers take turns to perform a reconnaissance but do not go any further because the risks are too significant.
Sebastian Vettel also took a short lap, followed by Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez, as well as Fernando Alonso. Finally, the first to take the plunge is the Frenchman. He records the first time of the session at 1:49.518, with Pérez following 1.827 seconds behind. Hamilton and Massa also take to the track.
P1 for Esteban with 1:49.518, P2 for Checo with 1:51.345 – CALL THE WEEKEND NOW! #JapaneseGP #PinkPanthers
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 6 octobre 2017
In a flying lap, Lewis Hamilton easily takes the best time from Esteban by eight-tenths with a time of 1:48.719. Lance Stroll takes his turn to try his luck, and luck is on his side! The Canadian comes in too fast at turn 1 and goes straight, barely missing the tire wall.
STR wanders off track at Turn 1 #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/xQzW2RUGym
— Formula 1 (@F1) 6 octobre 2017
Despite his big scare, the driver with number 18 stays on the track to complete a few laps and improve his time and his sensations. With a clear improvement, he decides to return to the pit when he was more than a second faster, so he remains 5th.
Ten minutes from the end, conditions seem to be worsening, Hamilton and Alonso decide to go for another lap but the amount of water being kicked up is far too much to drive normally. The drivers and teams now patiently wait for the session to end.
The final standings, anecdotal, of the session:
END OF FP2: Only 5 drivers post lap times
HAM 📸
OCO
PER
MAS
STR#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 #F1 pic.twitter.com/JMzxlKEXtF
— Formula 1 (@F1) 6 octobre 2017
