In a session in which George Russell crashed and had to be taken to the Medical Center and in which Max Verstappen had a problem, probably with the engine and had to head to the pits and stayed there,
After his accident in FP1, Alex Albon’s Williams was still being rebuilt, with the team having to change the engine and gearbox, as well as a number of smaller parts.
After George Russell was fastest in FP1, Pirelli used this session to test some prototype tires, which led to the session lasting 90 minutes and as a result of this tire test, there should be even more action in FP3, as the Drivers are putting on soft tires and gaining speed for qualifying. However, this session will be used to determine race pace in the longer series, so the data will not be 100% accurate as it is being collected on prototype tires, which could make things very interesting for the race.
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari SF-24) was fastest, 0.178s ahead of Oscar Piastri (McLaren MCL38-Mercedes) with Yuki Tsunoda (RB VCARB01-Honda) third at 0.179s and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari SF-24) just after 0.188 s. The first three used prototype tires.
He was followed by Lando Norris (McLaren MCL38-Mercedes) in fifth ahead of Kevin Magnussen (Haas VF-24 Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W15), Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber C44-Ferrari), Sergio Pérez (Red Bull RB20 / Honda RBPT) and Liam Lawson (RB VCARB01-Honda) completing the top 10.
Followed by Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin AMR24-Mercedes), in front of Nico Hülkenberg (Haas VF-24 Ferrari), Esteban Ocon (Alpine A524 Renault), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin AMR24-Mercedes), Franco Colapinto (Williams FW46- Mercedes), Pierre Gasly (Alpine A524 Renault), Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber C44-Ferrari).
As we mentioned, George Russell (Mercedes W15) went off the track, Max Verstappen (Red Bull RB20/Honda RBPT) had problems and Alexander Albon (Williams FW46-Mercedes) did not participate in the session.
