Second Free Practice Results 2024 Bahrain F1 GP

F1 Race Event: Bahrain Grand Prix
Race Track: Bahrain International Circuit

Weather: dry  19.2°C
Tarmac: dry  34.1°C
Humidity : 39.0%
Wind : 14.7 km/h South
Pressure: 1016 mbar

Bahrain Grand Prix 2024: Hamilton Dominates FP2 as F1 Season Kicks Off

As the sun set over the Bahrain International Circuit, the Formula 1 season of 2024 officially got underway with Lewis Hamilton showcasing his speed, topping the timesheets in the second practice session. The Mercedes driver, demonstrating impeccable form, led a strong 1-2 finish for his team, hinting at a resurgence for the Silver Arrows in this year's championship battle.

Despite the cooler evening conditions, which are expected to mirror those in the upcoming qualifying session and race, teams were eager to optimize their car setups and gather crucial data. The session, filled with strategic tire evaluations and race simulations, was a critical opportunity for teams to fine-tune their strategies.

Mercedes appeared to have found a sweet spot, with both Hamilton and teammate George Russell extracting impressive pace from their W15. The question lingering in the paddock, however, is whether Mercedes has genuinely stepped ahead or if their rivals have yet to show their full potential.

Red Bull, with Max Verstappen finishing notably off the pace in sixth, had a mixed session. While Verstappen's performance seemed subdued, there were no reported issues akin to his earlier complaints about shifting, suggesting an improvement or perhaps a different focus in their race weekend strategy. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez's struggle to maximize the RB20's one-lap potential raised eyebrows, leaving many to ponder if the team can overcome these challenges before qualifying.

Halfway through the session, the top 10 order was as follows: 1. Piastri, 1:33.113 min (S), 2. Verstappen, +0.422s (M), 3. Russell, +0.636s (M), 4. Pérez, +0.799s (M), 5. Hamilton, +0.812s (M), 6. Alonso, +.0816s (M), 7. Leclerc, +0.953s (M), 8. Sainz, +1.270s, (M), 9. Norris, +1.393s (M) 10. Stroll, +1.551s (M).

Lando Norris and McLaren also had their share of difficulties, with Norris unable to complete a key qualifying simulation run. This setback could pressure the team to recalibrate swiftly to harness the McLaren's apparent speed, as demonstrated by Norris's teammate.

Noteworthy performances included Fernando Alonso securing the third fastest time for Aston Martin, indicating that the team could be a dark horse this weekend. The midfield battle also intensified, with six different teams represented in the top ten, highlighting the potential for a competitive and unpredictable race.

As teams and drivers reflect on today's outcomes and gear up for tomorrow's pivotal qualifying session, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. With pole position seemingly up for grabs, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown under the Bahrain night sky, marking a captivating beginning to the 2024 Formula 1 season.

The best sector times around the Bahrain circuit during FP2 were set by:

• Sector 1: 29.037 sec by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W15) on Softs
• Sector 2: 38.665 sec by Oscar Piastri (McLaren MCL38) on Mediums
• Sector 3: 22.576 sec by George Russell (Mercedes W15) on Softs

The quickest lap time of last years second practice was a 1:30,907 min driven by Fernando Alonso on a set of soft tyres underneath the Aston Martin AMR23.

FP2 Times Table 2024 Bahrain GP

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