19:11
Don’t eat faster anymore
While it was a pretty clear affair in the first training session, Max Verstappen was unable to carry his dominance into the second session. Although the reigning world champion was always at the front, in the end Fernando Alonso took the crown with a time of 1:28.827. George Russell was even able to get a hold of himself behind the Spaniard before Verstappen arrived.
60.
7:10 p.m
End of 2nd training
All pilots drive their long runs to the bitter end, but the second training session on the Jeddah Street Circuit is over. Fernando Alonso achieved the best time ahead of George Russell and Max Verstappen.
58.
7:07 p.m
Significantly faster
A cross-comparison with the first training session shows that this second session has significantly more significance, at least in the peak times. With the 1:29.659 from the early afternoon, Verstappen would only have finished eleventh in the second training session.
56.
7:06 p.m
Hamilton ends the session
The seven-time world champion slides far out of a corner and then has no more power in the engine. He finishes the lap at low speed and drives into the pits. That should be it for him today.
55.
7:05 p.m
What about track limits?
Pierre Gasly received a note from the race management that he should please not exceed the track limits anymore.
52.
19:02
Short stopover
All drivers are still on the route. Lando Norris took a short stop in the pits, but quickly returned.
50.
7:00 p.m
Fastest in long runs
Fernando Alonso and George Russell are at the top of the rankings. When you look at the long runs, Max Verstappen is once again the fastest. In each lap he takes a few tenths off the other pilots.
48.
18:58
Is there anything else happening at the top?
All pilots are now testing the long run. The times at the top should no longer fall. Tomorrow the third free practice session and of course qualifying will be responsible for this.
46.
18:56
Test for the long run
Pérez has been running on the medium tire compound for a few laps now. The lap times are a stable 1:34, which would be fine in the race.
44.
18:51
McLaren in midfield
The session is not going well for Norris and Piastri. As twelfth and tenth, they are only in the middle of the field. If there is no larger plan behind it, they are likely to be dissatisfied with it.
40.
6:49 p.m
20 minutes left
Two thirds of the training has been completed. Many pilots are currently waiting in the pits again. Fernando Alonso is venturing out again and would certainly like to beat his best time.
37.
6:48 p.m
Suddenly second
Despite the tight scene around Tsunoda, George Russell moves into P2 behind Fernando Alonso. He finished fourth in the first training session and seems to be coping very well with the track.
35.
6:45 p.m
Tsunoda stands in the way
The next case of blocked route: George Russell is on his fast lap and is almost pushed into the wall by Tsunoda. Somehow the Brit pushes past the Racing Bull’s car.
33.
18:42
What is Hülkenberg doing?
We haven’t even talked about the German today. He is currently in the pits and is only 17th, just behind Kevin Magnussen – so there hasn’t been much to report yet.
31.
6:40 p.m
Soft mixture
After the start of the session was dominated by the mediums, almost all pilots are now on the softs. Only Carlos Sainz, Geroge Russell, Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton are the exceptions.
28.
6:38 p.m
Wide tip
After a short time, Leclerc, Pérez and Lance Stroll move between the leading duo. So a quintet quickly developed. Now we are of course waiting for Max Verstappen’s new lap time.
26.
6:36 p.m
Duel at the top
Both Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen have switched to the soft mixture. This allows Alonso to get seven tenths. Verstappen can’t keep up with the pace at first and loses half a second to the veteran.
24.
18:32
No time for Piastri
The McLaren is traveling very quickly, driving the fastest second sector, only to drive into the pits at the end of the lap.
21.
6:30 p.m
Free ride
Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri do their laps alone. The Australian with the soft tires at least moves up to seventh place. Piastri is currently tenth.
19.
18:29
Test pit stop
Mercedes is testing its pit stops. There were a lot of problems, especially last season. Meanwhile, the race management announces that the incident involving Lewis Hamilton will not be investigated until after the session.
17.
18:26
The first stints are over
Almost all drivers returned to their pits and completed their first stints. Incidentally, almost all drivers were on the mediums. Only the Racing Bulls started with a soft compound, although the times for this were pretty average. Tsunoda and Ricciardo are currently P13 and P14.
15.
6:25 p.m
New best lap from Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
Now everything is running smoothly again. Despite a comparatively weak second sector, in which Red Bull generally seems to have problems, he completes his lap 17 thousandths faster than Alonso. This puts him at the top of the rankings.
14.
18:24
Race management reports
The scene between Logan Sargeant and Lewis Hamilton, who was driving very centrally, is being examined by the race management. The seven-time world champion could still receive a penalty.
13.
18:22
Add again
In the first training session, Alonso was able to secure the second fastest time. He also seems to be in good shape in this second training session. He was able to extend his lead again, with Verstappen driving a very fast first sector.
11.
18:21
That was tight
In a tight S-curve, Logan Sargeant almost hits Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. The Brit in particular drove way too centrally, which is why Sargeant had to hit the brakes at the last moment and take evasive action.
9.
6:19 p.m
Alonso takes the lead
Aston Martin F1 Team
The track gets faster and so some drivers pass the Red Bulls, who have allowed themselves a short stop in the pits. Norris, Leclerc and Fernando Alonso, who set a new best time, still lead the field. In addition, Lance Strol pushed himself between Pérez and Verstappen.
5.
6:15 p.m
New best lap from Sergio Pérez
Red Bull Racing
The first little exclamation mark is set by Max Verstappen, who is well ahead of the competition with a 1:30.447. A little later, Sergio Pérez overtakes him. He is two hundredths faster than his teammate.
4.
6:14 p.m
Everyone outside
George Russell has now also joined the route. All vehicles are now on the track and the first times are set.
3.
18:12
Little spinner
In turn 3, Valtteri Bottas loses control of his vehicle and spins into the run-off zone. Fortunately, the route offers enough room for mistakes at this point.
1.
6:10 p.m
Start 2nd training
The traffic lights are green and the second training session in Jeddah has started. The teams send their pilots directly onto the track. Only George Russell is still waiting.
6:05 p.m
Start at 6:10 p.m
The race management has now announced that the second training session will start at 6:10 p.m. Apparently there were problems with the drainage of the track at some corners. A purely precautionary measure given the dry conditions.
6:00 p.m
Delayed start
As the race management announced a few seconds before 6:00 p.m., the start of the second training session has been delayed. The reasons are still unknown at the moment, although information should follow shortly.
5:58 p.m
Not very meaningful
Although the usual names appear in the front third, the first training session was not yet very meaningful. For example, the Racing Bulls and the Haas team primarily focused on long runs. Maybe they’ll go all out right away.
5:55 p.m
The followers
Fernando Alonso was able to squeeze in between Verstappen and Sergio Pérez in the first free practice session. The Spaniard remained a full seven tenths faster than his teammate. Also in the pursuit are George Russell and Charles Leclerc, who each lost less than half a second to the Dutchman.
17:52
Away from the front
After Max Verstappen held back during last week’s training sessions, the reigning world champion is starting from the front this weekend. With a 1:29.659 he set the fastest lap and is once again considered the favorite for the entire Grand Prix. His teammate drove a good two tenths slower, which meant Pérez was still good enough for third place.
5:50 p.m
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the 2nd training session of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia. The sun has now set and the practice session from 6:00 p.m. CET will be run under cooler track conditions.