Just like in the first practice, Max Verstappen also set the second fastest time in the second free practice for the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. Again Charles Leclerc was the fastest in his Ferrari.
World champion Verstappen was 0.140 seconds slower in his Red Bull.
Threatening situation
The second session continued with a fifteen minute delay, despite a threatening situation in Jeddah. During the first training, rebels from Yemen launched a rocket attack on a complex of the state oil company Aramco, about 10 kilometers away from the circuit. A large cloud of smoke was seen over the race track.
Conversations
The Formula 1 organization contacted the authorities and updated the team employees and drivers before the start of the second training session. The conclusion was that it is safe enough to continue racing, also for the rest of the weekend.
Sainz
Carlos Sainz was third in his Ferrari. The Spaniard was just over a tenth slower than Verstappen, who also used the training to drive as many laps as possible at race pace. The Limburger came to 23 laps.
Premature abort
Leclerc and Sainz had to abort their session prematurely. Both hit the wall along the narrow track during one of their laps. Leclerc won the opening race in Bahrain last Sunday. Verstappen was second in that race, but retired three laps before the end with a fuel system failure.
pit lane
Pitlane is L1’s motorsport program. This year again, every Thursday before a Formula 1 grand prix, you will be updated by presenter Sem Caelen and analyst Xavier Maassen about the latest developments in Formula 1. The program also includes reports and interviews.
Sunday’s race can also be followed live on L1 Radio.