F1 | Miami GP | Russell leads Leclerc and Perez in FP2, problems for Verstappen and Sainz
It was an impressive afternoon for George Russell and Mercedes as they went 1-4 in FP2. A crash for Sainz and reliability problems for Verstappen leaves them on the back foot.
The first time of the session was logged by Nicholas Latifi on a 1:36.312.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon took top spot with a 1:32.906 after five minutes, ahead of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Sainz and Vettel completed the top 5.
The Frenchman’s time was bested by teammate Alonso as the two-time World Champion did a 1:32.094.
On his second lap, a 1:31.461 put Carlos Sainz P1, ahead of Ocon who also found solid improvements on his second attempt. His teammate would beat that as Leclerc logged a 1:31.131, as Pierre Gasly went 2nd, 0.265s adrift.
On his first flier, Sergio Perez spun at turn 8. Luckily for the Mexican, he could continue without any problems.
It's a big spin for Checo who is luckily able to continue on! 🔄
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
Team mate Max Verstappen is yet to leave the garage 👀#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/tzi7rvdTCG
Sainz returned to the top by the 15-minute mark with a 1:30.964, ahead of Leclerc, Gasly, Guanyu and Ocon. Perez sandwiched himself between the Ferraris, 0.065s adrift of the Spaniard.
A tough period continued for Carlos Sainz as he spun heading towards turn 14, hit the barrier and broke his left front suspension. It brought out a red flag.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
Sainz hits the wall at Turn 13
Driver has exited the car and is OK #MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/HEp0CEYdVU
Sainz led Perez, Leclerc, Gasly, Guanyu, Hamilton, Ocon, Norris, Albon and Alonso was the top 10 before the session resumed.
A precautionary gearbox change saw Verstappen return to action after the session got underway again. However, when he returned to the track, there was immediate problems. He was unable to steer normally and his brakes were overheating as he crawled back to the pits.
Trouble for Max Verstappen 😩
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
His right rear brake is seemingly on fire, with the Dutchman forced back into the pit lane! #MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5C7xYiN3hK
On the circuit, George Russell banged in a 1:29.938 on qualifying simulations to go P1. Leclerc was 0.106s behind, as Hamilton went 3rd. Perez and Alonso completed the top 5. The Mexican made a small improvement on his second flier to leap ahead of the seven-time World Champion.
A second red flag came out late in the session as Nicholas Latifi stopped out on track in his Williams.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
Latifi pulls to the side with an issue #MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/XQ0xTUJ2g9
In a messy session, Kevin Magnussen spun at the end in turn 7, but the Dane didn't hit anything. Sebastian Vettel also spun at T10 in the dying stages.
A chaotic end to the second session of practice in Miami! 😅#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/7ivbC6TG6M
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 6, 2022
Russell’s time would stay unbeaten, as Leclerc, Perez, Hamilton and Alonso rounded out the top 5. 0.494s covered them.
Norris, Gasly, Guanyu, Ocon and Magnussen rounded out the top 10.
Despite his crash, Carlos Sainz finished 11th, as Ricciardo, Tsunoda, Vettel, Schumacher, Stroll, Albon and Latifi filled the remaining positions out of the drivers who did a time.
Like Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas failed to do a lap after his crash in FP1 meant he had to sit the afternoon session out.
