Fernando Alonso set the fastest time as teams focused on long-run pace ahead of Saturday’s Sprint at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The Spaniard posted a 1m11.238s on the soft tyre to lead Max Verstappen by almost nine-tenths of a second, as Alpine showed strong speed with Esteban Ocon in fourth.
Of course, the big story continues to be the wait for a stewards’ decision regarding Lewis Hamilton, after his DRS was found to be opening more than the permitted amount after qualifying.
The Mercedes driver had a slow start to the session but both he and teammate Valtteri Bottas would post faster laps late on, finishing 5th for Hamilton and 3rd for the Finn.
UPDATE: With the rear-wing of Car 44 still impounded by the FIA, the Team have been given written permission to fit a replacement part to the #44 W12.
The part has to be a part of the same design as per Article 34.2 of the Sporting Regulations. pic.twitter.com/cd5UtQCbNq
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) November 13, 2021
Sergio Perez was 6th in the second Red Bull, with his tyre skills potentially crucial as warmer temperatures at Interlagos saw driver struggle with the rears overheating.
Antonio Giovinazzi was 7th with the two Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc sandwiched between him and Alfa Romeo teammate Kimi Raikkonen in P10.
The two McLarens will be hoping to be more competitive than 12th and 13th during the Sprint, while Pierre Gasly complained his car was “undriveable” in 14th.
both our boys putting in a solid shift in FP2 ? @yukitsunoda07’s currently on 30 laps while @PierreGASLY’s done 25 pic.twitter.com/WU99ROmEyo
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) November 13, 2021
George Russell was 15th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Sebastian Vettel a lowly 17th for Aston Martin.
At the back, Nicholas Latifi led the two Haas’, with Nikita Mazepin eight-tenths slower than teammate Mick Schumacher.
Full results from Practice 2 can be seen below:
That’s our lot for practice at Interlagos! Now all eyes turn to #F1Sprint…#BrazilGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/9sxKNBWFPm
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 13, 2021
