Hamilton emerges ahead as Mercedes fit ultra softs in FP2

F1 Grand Prix, GP Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

Lewis Hamilton topped the second free practice session of the day at Spa Francorchamps, in preparation for the Belgian Grand Prix. The Englishman edged out Kimi Räikkonen of Ferrari who proved faster than his countryman Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes.

The session continued to see the top three teams set the fastest 6 times. Daniel Ricciardo was the only one of them not to be within half a second of the pace setter. Max Verstappen however kept Red Bull very much in the mix in 4th, narrowly topping Sebastian Vettel.

Behind them, Nico Hulkenberg ended up fastest of the rest, followed by Ocon and Sainz. Jolyon Palmer completed the top 10, little more than 2 tenths down on his German team mate.

When the rain eventually did arrive at Spa-Francorchamps - around 20 minutes ahead of the end of the session, it was no joke, making the track extremely wet in minute or two. The cars out on track at the time rapidly pitted, with Magnussen staying out longest, before eventually deciding to do the same as well.

A few minutes later, Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso both attempted to have a go on intermediates in the wet conditions, but soon found the green marked tyres inappropriate for the conditions. As they both returned to the pits, the session effectively came to an end, as nobody else risked any offs this late in the day.