Vettel quickest in shortened FP2 session

  • Published on 29 Sep 2017 10:55
  • comments 1
  • By: Sam Gale

Championship contender Sebastian Vettel was quickest, as a huge crash from Romain Grosjean caused by a loose drain cover, ended the session prematurely as the damage to the track was not repairable in the short amount of time available to them. Vettel is desperately in need of a good weekend in Sepang after falling 28 points behind in the championship after his opening lap incident last time out in Singapore.

The other Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen made it a 1-2 in the only dry running of the day but was a whole six tenths off of his teammates fastest lap time. The Red Bulls followed up in third and fourth position, maintaining their solid pace from the mornings rain affected session, with Ricciardo this time the quickest of the two drivers.

Fernando Alonso impressed with his pace, dragging his McLaren Honda to the fifth fastest time of the session beating out all of his midfield rivals and even the usual pace setters of the Mercedes, who had a relatively poor session ending up sixth and seventh with both drivers having off track excursions and not really challenging the pace of the Ferrari throughout the day.

The Force Indias showed they are going to probably again be challenging to be the best of the rest with Renaults Nico Hulkenberg, with Perez, Hulkenberg and Ocon coming in 8th, 9th and 10th respectively. Jolyon Palmer was next up in the sister Renault, who is under pressure to drive well in order to secure a drive for next season, which is looking increasingly unlikely.

Both Williams and Vandoorne were up next in the standings, with all three perhaps expecting to challenge a bit further up the grid than their current position would suggest when race day comes. Next were the two Toro Rossos, with Gasly on his first full F1 weekend, outdoing his more experienced teammate for pace at this early time.

The Haas cars were up next, with a lot of work being needed to be done to Grosjean's car overnight after the huge crash he unluckily suffered towards the end of the session, with the rear tyre completely ripped from his car by a loose drain cover, something almost unheard of at permanent race circuits like Sepang. The Saubers took up their customary back of the grid slot with Ericsson the propping up the field after giving his car to Leclerc in FP1.

 

Sam Gale

MY Sepang International - 29 September 2017

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Well, this should with all right be a track that suits Ferrari better. I hope they'll make the most out of this race. Suzuka should with all right be their's aswell.

    • + 0
    • Sep 29 2017 - 15:36

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 564
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar