Singapore GP: Rosberg sets the pace in second practice
Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg clocked the fastest in second practice ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
Published : Sep 16, 2016 21:32 IST
Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg clocked the fastest in second practice ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. First practice leaders Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull finished behind them.
However, the outcome of the qualifying simulations done by teams was not truly representative as both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel failed to do a good lap on their respective simulation runs.
Hamilton made quite a few mistakes on his ultrasoft tyre runs and did not set a time on the fastest tyre available this weekend. The reigning champion was only seventh fastest behind Vettel and the Force India's Nico Hulkenberg. Things looked grim for the reigning champion as he then had to stop his run 25 minutes before the end of the session due to a hydraulic issue.
McLaren’s Fernando Alonso was ninth quickest and was sandwiched between Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat. Force India driver Sergio Perez finished 11th.
Force India, locked in a close battle with Williams for the fourth place in the constructors' championship, would be pleased to have both its drivers ahead of the Williams, which could only post the 14th and 15th fastest times with Felipe Massa ahead of Valtteri Bottas.
Earlier,Max Verstappen of Red Bull led teammate Daniel Ricciardo in the first free practice session here on Friday. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was third quickest, ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Vettel's teammate Kimi Raikkonen followed next to complete the top six.
The German, who is competing in his 200th Grand Prix, hit the barrier on Turn 18 towards the end of the session and broke his front wing.
Hamilton was six-tenths slower than Verstappen, but both the Mercedes’ times were set on soft tyres, the hardest available compound this weekend while Team Red Bull and Ferrari set their times on the quicker ultrasoft tyres.