FP2: Leclerc stays ahead as Mercedes "on the right track"

F1 Grand Prix, GP Spain, Circuit de Catalunya

Hot conditions at 17:00 local time for second practice couldn't prevent Leclerc from remaining the fast around CIrcuit de Catalunya. The Ferrari driver though ended up not so happy with his session, stating a lot of work was needed ahead of Saturday's running.

After 4th and 6th positions in FP1 for Mercedes, the Silver Arrows continued to perform well as Russell and Hamilton slipped into second and third thanks to car updates that seem to do just what they were meant to do: fix the unexpected porpoising on straights and in higher speed corners.

Carlos Sainz was fourth fastest, a good three tenths down on his teammate. Verstappen had to settle for 5th after the qualifying simulation runs despite topping the times around halfway in the session when everybody was still focusing on medium tyre runs in preparation for the race.

Fernando Alonso was again comfortably in the top 10 in 6th, followed by Sergio Perez. The Red Bull driver had missed FP1 in favour of testing driver Vips so was perhaps a bit on the backfoot.

Vettel was nicely placed in 8th in the upgraded Aston Martin, followed by Ocon and Schumacher.

At the back of the timing sheet, Valtteri Bottas completed just 3 laps before something broke in his Alfa Romeo, forcing him to park the car. A puff of smoke came out of the back of the car on the main straight before the Finn reported the problem and moved into the grass.

McLaren's Lando Norris completed slightly more mileage, but it was over for him on lap 6 as well when he damaged the floor of his car by going off track, relegating him to watch the remainder of the session from the sidelines.