Hamilton continues to set the pace in Canada

08/06/2012

Ahead of today's second session the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 24 degrees C. This morning's clouds have given way to sunshine, with the predicted rain now expected to miss the Montreal track.

Lewis Hamilton was the pace-setter this morning, ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg. However, it wasn't all plain sailing for McLaren, Jenson Button suffering an oil leak this morning which limited his tracktime. Ahead of this afternoon's session the Woking team have discovered another problem with the oil system and have therefore changed his gearbox. While he will not incur a penalty as he is using an old gearbox, he will miss the opening phase of the session.

Other than appearances by foxes, squirrels and groundhogs this morning, the big talking point was a major off for Kovalainen at Turn 9 which wiped away the right-hand side of his car and caused the session to be red-flagged for thirteen minutes.

In other news, Vettel was reprimanded earlier for an incident involving Senna at the final chicane and an HRT mechanic was injured - though not seriously - after being hit by de la Rosa in the pitlane.

The lights go green and, like this morning, Vergne is first out, followed by Kobayashi, Raikkonen, Pic, Senna and Ricciardo.

Moments into the session, clearly not entirely convinced that the rain will miss the circuit, there are ten names on the timesheets; Kobayashi heading Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Vergne and Senna.

As more and more drivers get to work the times tumble, Alonso raising the benchmark with a 16.240. Meanwhile, after just five laps Vettel complains that his option tyres are going off.

Webber goes second (16.268) as Schumacher hits the kerbs at Turn 13 mighty hard.

Hamilton goes quickest (15.895) and Schumacher second; de la Rosa, Button and Kovalainen still to post a time.

Senna takes to the grass at Turn 9, the Brazilian appearing to spend more time off track than on it today. Moments later a big spin under braking across the grass for Alonso at Turn 8.

Another moment for Alonso, this time at the final chicane. Elsewhere, Hamilton improves with a 15.662. Di Resta posts 16.018 to go third.

As the drivers concentrate on longer runs, with an eye on Sunday afternoon, Hamilton almost hits a Ferrari mechanic as he enters his pit.

As Sam Michael oversees work on Button's car, Kovalainen is warned of rain in about thirty minutes.

Kobayashi (options) goes second with a 15.651, the Sauber one of the quickest cars through the main speedtrap. Interestingly, Petrov is quickest ahead of di Resta and de la Rosa.

The cameras pick up on Jacques Villeneuve walking through the paddock. The French-Canadian, having shaved his head, somewhat resembling Michael Stipe.

Di Resta is lucky to escape Scot free after hitting the kerbs at the final chicane and getting mighty close to the Wall of Champions. Elsewhere, Vettel gets it all wrong at Turn 9 and takes to the grass.

As Webber brushes the barriers after Turn 4, Perez goes second with a 15.898.

Tipped by many as a winner here this weekend, another strong lap from Hamilton sees the bar raised with a 15.259.

As Kovalainen heads down the pitlane - subsequently going eighteenth with a 18.145 - Button remains the only driver yet to post a time.

Cameras cut to Senna who is now running the same (new) rear wing that Maldonado ran this morning. Elsewhere, another off for Alonso, followed, moments later, by Hamilton.

Vettel goes second (15.531) and Kobayashi third as the Sauber crew work on Perez' car which appears to have a brake problem.

In all honesty it was inevitable, having endured a difficult day, Senna hits the Wall of Champions with a mighty thump after losing the back of the car coming out of the chicane. The session is red-flagged as his car is craned away from the track. There is damage to the front and back of the car, including that shiny new rear wing.

The current order (with 38:50 on the clock) is Hamilton, Vettel, Kobayashi, Schumacher, Rosberg, Massa, Perez, Webber, di Resta and Maldonado.

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