Second Free Practice Results 2024 Saudi Arabian F1 GP

F1 Race Event: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Race Track: Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Weather: dry  25.4°C
Tarmac: dry  30.4°C
Humidity : 61.0%
Wind : 10.0 km/h South
Pressure: 1010 mbar

Jeddah Grand Prix Thriller: Alonso and Russell Eye Verstappen's Crown

The second round of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was a spectacle of speed, strategy, and surprises, setting a tantalizing tone for the rest of the championship.

In the heart of Saudi Arabia, under the shimmering floodlights, the drivers took to the track, each with something to prove. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, came into the weekend with a target on his back after topping the opening session. But it was Fernando Alonso who stole the show in FP2, showcasing a blistering pace that suggests the Aston Martin team has more up its sleeve than many anticipated.

George Russell, not to be outdone, demonstrated that Mercedes is still very much in the fight. Despite a less-than-ideal performance in the earlier session, he bounced back to shadow Alonso closely, hinting at a potential upset in the making.

Halfway through the session, the top 10 order was as follows: 1. Alonso, 1:28.827 min (S), 2. Leclerc, +0.353s (S), 3. Pérez, +0.473s (S), 4. Stroll, +0.509s (S), 5. Verstappen, +0.550s (S), 6. Sainz, +.0,838s (M), 7. Tsunoda, +0.839s (S), 8. Norris, +0.931s, (S), 9. Zhou, +0.953s (S) 10. Ocon, +1.074s (S).

The practice sessions were not without their dramas. Lance Stroll's early brush with the walls in FP1 was a stark reminder of the circuit's unforgiving nature, while Lewis Hamilton's power loss issue in FP2 raised eyebrows about Mercedes' reliability.

Aston Martin's resurgence, with Alonso at the helm, was the talk of the paddock. The Spanish veteran, who topped FP2, is clearly relishing his role as a title contender, his performance echoing his days of dominance. Russell, riding high on confidence, seems poised to capitalize on any opportunity, his ambition clear as he sliced through the field to sit just behind Alonso.

But the narrative is not just about the front-runners. The midfield battle is equally intense, with teams like McLaren and Sauber showing flashes of potential. Oscar Piastri's P10 and Valtteri Bottas's struggle at the bottom of the timesheets underline the razor-thin margins separating triumph from tribulation in F1.

As the teams pore over data and strategize for qualifying and race day, one thing is clear: the Jeddah Grand Prix is shaping up to be a clash of titans. With Verstappen keen to extend his championship lead, Alonso and Russell hot on his heels, and a host of others ready to pounce on any misstep, the stage is set for a riveting showdown under the Saudi stars.

The quickest sector times during FP2 were:

• Sector 1: 32.260 sec by Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin AMR24)
• Sector 2: 28.116 sec by George Russell (Mercedes W15)
• Sector 3: 28.345 sec by Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin AMR24)

The quickest lap time of last year's second practice was a 1:29,603 min driven by Max Verstappen on a set of soft tyres underneath the Red Bull RB19

FP2 Times Table 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

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