British Grand Prix – Free Practice 2: Norris and McLaren are in good shape
This Friday was completely dominated by Lando Norris. After setting the fastest time during FP1, the British driver once again left his mark in FP2 with a lap time 3 tenths faster than his closest rival, Oscar Piastri.
This second free practice session in Great Britain is paradoxically synonymous with discovery for many drivers. Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen, and Logan Sargeant all left their seats free during FP1 to allow young drivers to get some track time. This year, all Formula 1 teams are required to give the wheel to rookies for at least two free practice sessions during the season.
Having left his place to Jack Doohan during Free Practice 1, Pierre Gasly treated himself to a little escapade at over 250 km/h outside the Copse corner. A small off-track excursion that surely mildly affected the suspensions but nothing dramatic. As a reminder, the French driver will start last on the grid on Sunday after having changed numerous mechanical components on his car.
Since his victory on his home turf in Monaco, the last Grand Prix races have been complicated for Charles Leclerc. Canada was a real disaster which resulted in a retirement, the Ferrari lacked pace in Spain and in Austria he was involved in a collision in the first corner which ruined his race. During this second free practice session, the Monegasque did not hide his frustration with the settings of his car. His Ferrari seemed to be particularly unstable in the famous Maggots-Becketts-Chapel sequence.
At the midday point, the lap times kept falling one after the other. The teams decided to put their drivers on soft tires earlier than usual due to a potential rain arrival at the end of the session. Despite his relatively loose rear end, Charles Leclerc flirted with the limit to set the fastest time of the session. Nico Hülkenberg, a big fan of timed laps, once again made an impression by placing his car at the top of the timesheet. The German seemed to prove that the improvements made by Haas this weekend were bringing performance.
It was then the two McLarens that showed their teeth with Oscar Piastri and then Lando Norris setting the best times. The papaya cars are obviously among the top favorites for the win. The MCL38 is a car particularly comfortable in fast corners. The layout of the second sector of the Silverstone track therefore perfectly matches the preferences of the team based in Woking. The British team is the leading team to have brought the most improvements this weekend.
At Mercedes, it’s the opposite where the car works best in slow corners of the first sector and the final two corners of the circuit. Lewis Hamilton has been seen struggling on many occasions with chronic understeer in the fast sections.
As rumors circulate in the paddock about a potential replacement of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, the Mexican driver has decided to show up today by setting the third best time of the session.
