F1 | Russian GP | Bottas leads FP2 ahead of Hamilton as Pierre Gasly completes Top 3, Verstappen to start at the back
The Finn keeps his overwhelming performances and results on the Sochi Autodrom as he commands another Mercedes 1-2 on the Friday evening of the Russian GP.
Lights went green in PF2 with the thought of tomorrow's weather in Sochi not allowing to have any activity because of heavy rain. Hence that, the drivers went out on track knowing that there's a possibility of practice times being used for qualifying matters.
The first stint of drivers lapping started with Kimi Raikkonen as the first to post a clocked lap on the table. The Finn comes back from a two-race break due to a positive COVID-19 test. Charles Leclerc topped the standings 10 minutes into the session, getting use of the new Power Unit elements that will make him penalize on Sunday's race' grid, 0.373s ahead of Valtteri Bottas. The Ferrari driver was the only one wearing the soft Pirelli compound inside the Top 10.
During the session, it was official that a new Power Unit will be changed in the #33 Red Bull since this weekend, a fact that will make Max Verstappen start last on the grid on Sunday.
BREAKING: @Max33Verstappen will start Sunday's Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to a power unit change
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 24, 2021
More to follow...#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/LPMzWwvbLR
With 40 minutes to go into the session Leclerc's time reference started to fade as the drivers went out in the track with the red Pirellis. After Fernando Alonso was the first one to take the lead from the Monegasque, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas topped the tables just before Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton stormed their way to P2 and P3, relegating the Dutchman to P4.
Daniel Ricciardo finally managed to get his McLaren on track when the clock ticked 25 minutes, after a problem on the Power Unit was found on the #3 McLaren and therefore the Mercedes PU was changed into a used one. He rounded the last places during all of his 12 laps on the track.
Halfway through the session, Leclerc's Ferrari spun when he reeved over the paint on the track. Minutes later, with 25 to go into FP2, Antonio Giovinazzi had a similar incident at Turn 9 but contrary to the Ferrari, the Alfa Romeo hit the barriers and lost the rear wing plus managing damage on the car. The session was red-flagged for 10 minutes.
Antonio reports that he is ok after that clash with the barriers at Turn 9 💥
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 24, 2021
The debris from his car is being cleared #RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/UiBdAapmFz
The last 10 minutes of activity saw cars lapping with the yellow and white tyres securing the race pace practice with the Mercedes drivers, Max Verstappen, Pierre Gasly and the Alpines with a continuous pace of 1.40:00 and 1.40:40. The AlfaTauri #10 had a final shunt of damage as Pierre Gasly lost his front wing completely after getting out of track and rejoining through a kerb.
A bit of drama for Pierre Gasly right at the end of FP2 👀#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/O2nypAUnAh
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 24, 2021
The final Top 10 saw Bottas bossing the standings again in Sochi followed by Lewis Hamilton. An impressive Pierre Gasly led Lando Norris' McLaren into the second row. Esteban Ocon ended Top 5 ahead of Max Verstappen as Sainz, Alonso, Vettel and Leclerc made the Top 10 of Friday in the Sochi Autodrom.
In the hope that the weather will allow it, action is set to resume tomorrow morning in Russia with PF3 and Qualifying session.
FP2 CLASSIFICATION: @ValtteriBottas completes a perfect F1 Friday by taking his second P1 of the day ⏱️#RussianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/K06dIkIqh2
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 24, 2021
