In the 2nd practice session for the French Grand Prix, the Scuderia also determines what is happening – with a clear lead.
Ferrari at the top again: The Scuderia also set the best time in the second free practice session of Formula 1 before the French Grand Prix – this time the Spaniard Carlos Sainz was unbeatable with a time of 1:32.527 minutes. Unlike in the first session on Friday afternoon, world champion Max Verstappen (Netherlands) was less able to keep up with Ferrari in the Red Bull.
Although he finished third, his gap of 0.550 seconds was already clear. Second was Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc (Monaco/0.101 seconds back), who is the closest pursuer of the world champion in the drivers’ standings, 38 points behind Verstappen, and had set the best time in the first practice session.
Not a successful day for the Germans
The third force, but not within striking distance of the top, is Mercedes with record world champion Lewis Hamilton. The 37-year-old was fifth (0.990), his British compatriot and teammate George Russell (0.764) fourth.
The Heppenheim Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel (1.893) in 13th and Mick Schumacher (Haas/2.668) in 19th did not experience a successful day of practice, they will have to improve to finish in the points.
Hamilton had paused in the first practice session and left his cockpit to junior pilot Nyck de Vries. On Sunday (from 3 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) Hamilton will complete his 300th Grand Prix in the premier class, he is only the sixth driver to reach this milestone. Another free practice session (1 p.m.) and qualifying (4 p.m.) will follow on Saturday.
The twelfth of a total of 22 races of the season takes place in Le Castellet, and the following weekend the turbulent July comes to a close with a total of four races in Hungary. Then the summer break is coming up for the premier class.