Leading the second free practice of the Grand Prix weekend, Fernando Alonso showed off his skills by besting Max Verstappen and George Russell in the time trials.
There was also drama and difficulties during the session as drivers and teams struggled with different problems on the track.
The beginning of the session was delayed by 10 minutes as a result of a precautionary check on the manhole covers. Once racing got underway, most drivers decided to start on medium tires. However, Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo decided to start on soft tires. A few drivers also started the practice session on hards, including four of the twenty competitors on the grid, in an attempt to test various tactics for the race.
During the course of the session, drivers faced various obstacles. In turn 10, Sergio Perez expressed worries about bouncing, and George Russell battled with an unsteady car setup. A situation involving Logan Sargeant and Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, sparked controversy and will be investigated after the session.
Max Verstappen, displaying his championship heritage by topping the timesheets, overtook Alonso, who had set the early pace by recording the fastest time in the first fifteen minutes of the session. Teams switched to softer tire compounds as the session went on in an effort to get the most out of their vehicles.
Later during the session, Fernando Alonso regained the lead, closely followed by Russell and Verstappen.
Not every driver, though, had an easy ride. Because of problems with bottoming, Lando Norris had to go back to the pits to make changes that would maximize the car’s performance.
Track limit breaches were also highlighted, with Lance Stroll being flagged as a repeat offender with a black-and-white flag. Pierre Gasly voiced similar concerns during the first test session, emphasizing how crucial it is to follow track regulations.
Towards the end of the session, teams concentrated on optimizing their setups for the Grand Prix, with an emphasis on race simulations. The stage is set for an exciting race weekend with great battles and calculated moves on the track.