Posted on 28th June 2013
FP2
As predicted the second practice session was dry, with only a few damp patches on track. The tyre choice was intermediates to start the session, although the track was drying. It was a very busy start to the session as teams had upgrades to test and of course the concept Pirelli tyres. Nico Hulkenberg saying the track was ready for slick tyres just 10 minutes into the session. The two Toro Rosso drivers were impressing with 15 minutes gone, they were leading the time sheets. Perhaps showing they are worth the move into an empty Red Bull seat.
Felipe Massa had a big moment on the exit of Club corner just 25 minutes into the session. The back of the car stepped out, but the Brazilian couldn’t hold onto it and he was in the wall, and out of FP2. The incident was clearly driver error, but it was a disaster for Ferrari who were left with a big repair job, the front right wheel was torn off on impact. It’s the third weekend in a row the Brazilian has crashed out of a practice session.
With half an hour gone, Nico Rosberg was heading the time sheets for Mercedes, however his teammate was still yet to run. When he did set a time, he joined his good friend on the timings but Nico was just ahead in P1. The times were constantly changing through the session, as the weather got better, the cars got faster. But drivers were still struggling with a number of excursions including Adrian Sutil who had a bumpy ride over the curbs at Beckets.
With half an hour to go Rosberg was still fastest, but the session still very busy as everyone took advantage of the dry weather and made up for time lost this morning. But McLaren were struggling, the car just wasn’t looking good at all. Perez looked much more committed than Button in the corners.
Mercedes looked ok through the corners, the times certainly suggested that. Ferrari on the other hand were lower in the timings than expected. Fernando Alonso was pushing hard, the car looked good in the faster corners, but the slower corners Alonso was having to fight the wheel a little more. This suggesting the balance isn’t quite there at this stage of the weekend.
As practice finished, Rosberg finished on top with a 1:32.248, 3 tenths ahead of Mark Webber. It was an interesting practice session with plenty happening. The majority of times set were done so on the medium compound tyre.
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