FP2: Bottas reigns supreme at Abu Dhabi

F1 Grand Prix, GP Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit

The switch from the Abu Dhabi sun to floodlights didn't hamper Valtteri Bottas in any way as he continued to be fastest, this time topping his Mercedes team mate by 3 tenths.

Second practice was a crucial session, knowing that track temperatures and general conditions are a lot more representative for what comes next on Saturday and Sunday.

Both Mercedes drivers used it to good effect and continued to show strong pace, both on short runs and on the longer runs. Red Bull's drivers were close on the longer stints, but for qualifying, indications are that Ferrari will beat Red Bull. That is, if nothing changes overnight.

After Bottas set the fastest lap of the day on a much cooler track than in the morning, things looked to work out well, until the Finn tried to pass Haas's Romain Grosjean with a late dive in Turn 11. About 20 minutes from the end, this caused a brief red flag, a broken floor for Haas and a broken front wing for Mercedes. The stoppage was brief, but it disrupted long runs for other teams.

Both drivers were later summoned to the stewards, with Bottas receiving a reprimand for causing the collision.

At Ferrari, mechanics managed to repair Sebastian Vettel's car in time for the start of FP2, only to see Leclerc later do nearly the same mistake in Turn 19. The Monegasque tapped the barriers, but was able to carry on, ending up nearly a tenth quicker than his team mate.

Grosjean did well again for Haas with a 7th fastest time, while Sergio Perez confirms his love with Abu Dhabi's track with an 8th fastest time.

Toro Rosso completed the top 10, followed by McLaren's duo as they are still looking to improve. They still kept both Renault cars behind them, though that might say even more about Renault, than about McLaren's performance.

The yellow cars were faster only than both Alfas and Williams.