Motorsport

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Valtteri Bottas fastest in second practice session

Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time in Friday's second free practice for this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver outpacing both Red Bulls under the floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit.

AFP
Abu Dhabi 23 November, 2018 22:23 IST

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas during the second free practice at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi on Friday.   -  AP

AFP
Abu Dhabi 23 November, 2018 22:23 IST

Valtteri Bottas clocked the fastest time in Friday's second free practice for this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver outpacing both Red Bulls under the floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit.

The Finn topped the times in one minute and 37.236 seconds to outpace second-placed Max Verstappen by 0.044 seconds with Daniel Ricciardo third, two-tenths adrift.

READ: Max Verstappen on top in opening practice session

New five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth-quickest in the second Mercedes after struggling for grip.

The two Ferraris led by Sauber-bound Kimi Raikkonnen were fifth and sixth, four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel failing to make a serious challenge at the top as the three leading teams dominated both sessions.

Dutchman Verstappen had been quickest in the morning in a Red Bull one-two, but Bottas bounced back for Mercedes as the sun went down.

Romain Grosjean was seventh for Haas ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Renault ahead and Kevin Magnussen in the second Haas with Esteban Ocon 10th for Force India.

Times in second practice session

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1min 37.236sec

2. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull-Renault) 1:37.280

3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) 1:37.428

4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:37.443

5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:37.461

6. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:37.569

7. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1:38.060

8. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:38.230

9. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:38.318

10. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Racing Point Force India-Mercedes) 1:38.402

11. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:38.506

12. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Renault) 1:38.511

13. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Renault) 1:38.725

14. Sergio Perez (MEX/Racing Point Force India-Mercedes) 1:38.806

15. Charles Leclerc (MON/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:38.831

16. Brendon Hartley (NZL/Toro Rosso-Honda) 1:38.957

17. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:39.502

18. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Renault) 1:39.938

19. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:40.046

20. Sergey Sirotkin (RUS/Williams-Mercedes) 1:40.935

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