Second Free Practice Results 2024 Monaco F1 GP

Event: Monaco F1 Grand Prix
Track: Monaco Circuit

Lewis Hamilton driving the Mercedes W15 during practice for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix

Weather: dry  21.0°C
Tarmac: dry  32.5°C
Humidity: 65%
Wind: 0 km/h South

Charles Leclerc Sets the Pace in Second Practice Session at Monaco

The second practice session for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix saw Charles Leclerc top the timing sheets, delivering a stellar performance for Ferrari on the streets of his home city. Leclerc's mastery over the circuit was evident as he posted the fastest times on both medium and soft compound tires, finishing the session with a best lap of 1:11.278.

Leclerc's dominance was clear from the outset, with his fastest lap on the mediums initially putting him ahead of the pack. He then switched to the softs, further extending his lead over the competition. Lewis Hamilton, who had set the pace in the first practice session, continued his strong form by securing the second-fastest time, just 0.188 seconds behind Leclerc. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top three, showcasing a competitive pace in his Aston Martin.

Red Bull's Struggles and Mercedes' Resilience

Red Bull faced some challenges during FP2, with both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez struggling to find the right balance. Verstappen described the ride as "horrendous," citing issues with the car's handling and ride height. Despite these difficulties, Verstappen managed to secure the fourth-fastest time, while Perez ended up further down the order, indicating the team's need to make adjustments overnight.

Mercedes, on the other hand, had a mixed session. While Hamilton looked strong, George Russell experienced issues with his steering wheel vibrations, which impacted his performance. The team will be working hard to resolve these issues to ensure both drivers can compete effectively in qualifying.

Incidents and Tyre Challenges

The session was not without its incidents, as several drivers clipped the barriers around the tight and twisty circuit. Verstappen, Logan Sargeant, and Oscar Piastri all had minor brushes with the walls, but none resulted in significant damage. Lance Stroll also had a moment, spending a considerable amount of time in the pits after an early incident.

Tyre management emerged as a crucial factor, with visible graining on Hamilton's front tyres after 22 laps and similar issues reported by Alex Albon. As the track is expected to be hotter on race day, managing tyre degradation will be key, especially considering the high likelihood of a one-stop strategy in the 78-lap race.

The top 10 at the halfway mark was:

1. Leclerc (1:11.278) - S
2. Alonso (+0.475s) - S
3. Verstappen (+0.535s) - S
4. Norris (+0.675s) - S
5. Pérez (+0.884s) - S
6. Stroll (+0.941s) - S
7. Albon (+0.979s) - S
8. Hamilton (+1.252s) - S
9. Sainz (+1.460s) - S
10. Hulkenberg (+1.493s) - S

The quickest sector times during this second practice session were:

• Sector 1: 18.468 sec by Charles Leclerc with the Ferrari SF-24.
• Sector 2: 33.670 sec by Charles Leclerc with the Ferrari SF-24.
• Sector 3: 18.866 sec by Charles Leclerc with the Ferrari SF-24.

Last year the quickest lap time of FP2 was a 1:12,462 min, driven by Max Verstappen with the Red Bull RB19.

Looking Ahead to Qualifying

With Leclerc setting the benchmark, the battle for pole position in Saturday's qualifying session promises to be intense. McLaren has yet to show their full potential, Mercedes looks competitive despite some reliability concerns, and Red Bull is always a formidable contender despite their current setup challenges.

James Vowles from Williams noted his surprise at how hard the Red Bull cars were hitting the ground, suggesting that adjustments might be needed for their ride height. Red Bull, known for their quick turnarounds, will be keen to rectify today's issues ahead of tomorrow's crucial sessions.

FP2 Times Table 2024 Monaco GP

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