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<strong>FP2:</strong> Verstappen three-tenths clear of the field

FP2: Verstappen three-tenths clear of the field

Published on 27 Sep 2019 15:31
2
By: Fergal Walsh

Max Verstappen concluded Friday practice on top of the timesheets, three-tenths ahead of the rest of the field in Sochi.

The Dutchman set a 1:33.162 on his low-fuel qualifying sim run, which put him ahead of Charles Leclerc, who was the quickest of the Ferrari drivers.

The two Mercedes' of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton followed the top, with Bottas ahead of the five-time world champion - as he was after the opening practice session on Friday morning.

Sebastian Vettel was fifth in the second Ferrari, over one second down on the session-topping time set by Verstappen.

Alexander Albon had a session of limited running, as Red Bull discovered floor damage early on, meaning he set just 18 laps during the 90 minutes.

Pierre Gasly was sixth in the Toro Rosso, and had a close moment with teammate Daniil Kvyat during the session, as the two almost came together on the exit of Turn 2.

Both Racing Point cars managed to slot themselves into the top ten, with Sergio Perez's lap time placing him into seventh place, while Lance Stroll was ninth.

Nico Hulkenberg was eighth and in between the two pink cars, while Albon rounded out the top ten after he set a handful of laps in the final 20 minutes.

Williams once again brought up the timesheets, behind the Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi and the McLaren of Carlos Sainz.

F1Grand Prix Russian - Free practice 2

Sochi Autodrom - 27 September 2019

Driver

Team

Time

Difference

#
1

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing

1:33.162

29
2

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

1:33.497

+0.335

33
3

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes

1:33.808

+0.646

22
4

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

1:33.960

+0.798

32
5

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

1:34.201

+1.039

32
6

Pierre Gasly

Toro Rosso

1:34.971

+1.809

26
7

Sergio Perez

Racing Point

1:34.998

+1.836

31
8

Nico Hülkenberg

Renault

1:35.026

+1.864

33
9

Lance Stroll

Racing Point

1:35.176

+2.014

31
10

Alexander Albon

Red Bull Racing

1:35.216

+2.054

18
11

Lando Norris

McLaren

1:35.223

+2.061

33
12

Daniil Kvyat

Toro Rosso

1:35.337

+2.175

38
13

Kevin Magnussen

Haas F1

1:35.351

+2.189

26
14

Daniel Ricciardo

Renault

1:35.370

+2.208

28
15

Kimi Räikkönen

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:35.374

+2.212

34
16

Romain Grosjean

Haas F1

1:35.593

+2.431

31
17

Carlos Sainz jr

McLaren

1:35.635

+2.473

29
18

Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:36.004

+2.842

29
19

George Russell

Williams

1:36.785

+3.623

38
20

Robert Kubica

Williams

1:37.838

+4.676

36

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Replies (2)

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Merc is playing the under dog game. I would not discount them yet.
- + 0
- Sep 27 2019 - 18:14
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I won't either, especially race pace. However, the straights on this track are vital. Nail them, and you are set. Ferrari already have those, and now they are creeping up on the slower bits too. The season is no doubt over in terms of the title winner, but I think Ferrari could come out on top here too.
  + 0
  
  Sep 27 2019 - 20:21