10/05/2013
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today’s second practice session, the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. Thankfully, this morning’s rain clouds have given way to some sunshine, sort of, consequently we can expect some meaningful action over the next ninety minutes.
While the teams couldn’t make full use of the numerous updates this morning, it was interesting to see the Ferraris top the timesheets, while the Red Bulls were right at the other end. Whilst we expect to see the Austrian team reclaim its position as the weekend progresses it was a good start for its Italian rivals. Good performances from Vergne and Bottas, amongst others, also.
The lights go green and Vettel is first out, followed by Perez and Hulkenberg. Vettel and Perez on the prototype hard tyre and Hulkenberg on the ‘traditional’ compound.
Within minutes there are seventeen drivers on track. In no time at all, all seventeen have posted times, Hamilton leading the way with a 1:23.900.
As Ricciardo and Vergne go second and third, continuing the good form shown by Toro Rosso this morning, all but Raikkonen and the Marussias are on track.
Rosberg posts 24.696 to make it a Mercedes 1-2, the German team seeking to take its third consecutive pole this weekend.
The strong tailwind sees Hamilton spin at T11, the Mercedes driver showing his frustration with himself as he rides the kerbs making his way back on to the track.
Rosberg posts 23.801 to take the top spot, maintaining the Mercedes 1-2, as Raikkonen goes third with a 24.493 ahead of Alonso.
Sixteen minutes into the session, with all twenty-two drivers having posted times, a majority of the drivers are back in their garages allowing us to catch our breath after a frantic start to the session.
The first to switch to slicks this morning, Vergne is the first driver to switch to the option (medium) compound this afternoon.
From out of nowhere, Webber produces a 23.112 and teammate Vettel a 23.446 as the ‘normal order’ is restored.
Vergne (option) improves to fifth, as Rosberg, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo also make the switch.
Williams reveals that it is carrying out front wing comparisons as Caterham reveals that it is using different set –ups on both cars in order to obtain as much data as possible.
On the ‘normal’ hard tyres, Alonso goes quickest with a 23.030 as teammate Massa goes third (23.324). Rosberg (option) goes fifth (23.398).
Still early days, but Button remains eleventh, 1.76s off the pace, while Perez is sixteenth (24.403).
Now on the medium rubber, Webber re-takes pride of place on the timesheets, out-pacing Alonso’s best – posted on hards – by just 0.139s. Currently all three compounds are being used.
Despite losing a lot of time in S3, a strong S2 sees Vettel (options) go quickest, albeit only eclipsing his teammate by just 0.083s.
Now on the softer rubber, Alonso goes quickest in S1, however, a relatively poor S2 and S3 mean he can only manage second, 0.017s off Vettel’s pace. Both the Spaniard and the German have more in reserve, especially the world champion.
Force India is quietly getting on with the job, Sutil moving up to seventh with a 23.840. Elsewhere, Alonso is shown a blue flag as he appears to hinder Hamilton’s progress. Shortly after, Button appears to lose time behind di Resta.
Now on the option, Raikkonen posts 23.030 to go fourth, the top seven – Vettel, Alonso, Webber, Raikkonen, Massa, Hamilton and Rosberg – covered by just 0.590s. Both McLarens over 1.49s off the pace.
No improvement for the foreseeable future as the drivers concentrate on longer simulation runs. Ferrari has Massa on hard and Alonso on mediums as the Italian team carries out comparison work.
With twenty minutes remaining, and all but the Saubers on track, di Resta stops at the end of the pitlane, his left rear tyre having delaminated. On track, Alonso shows his frustration at a slow Caterham.
As di Resta climbs from his car, the tyre stripped to the canvas, the TV camera picks up on a large chunk of rubber in the middle of the pit straight. As mechanics rescue the stranded Force India, a Pirelli representative covers the damaged tyre with a red plastic bag.
On the 18th lap of his current run, Hamilton is told that his times and degradation are good. “Try and stay in the 1:32s,” he is told. Elsewhere, Massa and Sutil are having a minor dispute.
With 7:10 remaining, Perez leaves the pits with the new, much vaunted, front wing.
The session ends with Vettel quickest ahead of Alonso, Webber, Raikkonen, Massa, Hamilton, Rosberg, Sutil, Vergne and di Resta.
Ricciardo is eleventh, ahead of Button, Perez, Bottas, Hulkenberg, Maldonado, Gutierrez, Grosjean, Van der Garde, Bianchi, Pic and Chilton.
Check out our Friday gallery, here.