F1 GP Japan, Free Practice 2: Hamilton firmly in the lead and very fast

There is still the signature of Lewis Hamilton also at the end of the second Free Practice session on track a Suzuka. The pilot Mercedes he finished in command, thanks to the best time of 1:28.217, with Bottas e Hag behind him, 4 and 8 tenths behind respectively, while Verstappen, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Ocon, Grosjean, Ericsson and Hartley complete the top ten. From the first exit in the morning, Hamilton has monopolized the top, perfectly at ease on the Japanese track, which from these first findings seems tailor-made W09. Even in the race pace simulation with the softest compound the standard bearer of Mercedes he had no rivals. In this first outing of the weekend, however, she appeared to be in a bit more difficulty Ferrari, even if it will be necessary to wait until tomorrow to understand the true values ​​on the field.

News – The two McLarens and Grosjean opened the afternoon in Suzuka, with the Spaniard first to stop the clock, in 1:32.540. In a short time, Grosjean and Vettel alternated at the top, with the German setting the best time, 1:29.398, followed by Raikkonen, Perez, Ocon, Hartley, Grosjean, Ericsson, Hulkenberg, Magnussen and Sainz. All the riders on the track use the soft compound, medium only for Ocon, Grosjean and Sainz. Gasly will not take part in the session: the mechanics are working on his STR13, which is affected by a fuel tank problem.

Hamilton takes to the track with the soft tire and immediately begins to dictate the rules: the Briton manages to set a time of 1:28.911, and by mid-session he is ahead of Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Perez, Ocon, Hartley and Stroll.

Vettel switches to the supersoft compound but is unable to catch his rival's time, and is thus confined to second position, 1 tenth from the top. The Briton from Mercedes also uses the softer compound, and sets a new best time there, 1:28.217. Halfway through the session, and with the same tyre, Bottas is chasing him, 4 tenths behind, then Vettel, Verstappen, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Ocon, Grosjean, Ericsson, Hartley.

Thirty minutes from the checkered flag the drivers move on to simulating the race pace: with the red tire Hamilton is elusive even in the long runs, while with the soft compound the times of the Briton and those of Vettel and Bottas are more aligned.

The session ends with the Mercedes driver still in command, ahead of his teammate and Vettel's Ferrari.

F1 GP Japan – Times, results and laps Free Practice 2