Second Free Practice Results & Report 2023 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

Event: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Track: Yas Marina Circuit

Weather: dry  26.9°C
Tarmac: dry  33.0°C
Humidity : 59%
Wind : 4.3 km/h S
Pressure: 1011 mbar

In today's Formula 1 action at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc emerged as the quickest driver in the second free practice session (FP2), a session punctuated by red flags and dramatic spins.

A Sunset Session with Mixed Conditions

As the sun began to set over the Yas Marina Circuit, teams and drivers were presented with a cooling track, providing a different challenge compared to the hotter conditions of FP1. The track temperature hovered around 34 Degrees Celsius, significantly impacting tyre strategies. Pirelli had provided teams with their softest compounds for this event, adding an extra layer of strategy.

Highs and Lows for Teams and Drivers

The session was off to a bustling start with Nico Hulkenberg leading the pack out of the pits. However, not all was smooth sailing. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari found himself in the barriers after a spin, prompting the first red flag of the session. This incident heavily disrupted the flow, costing valuable track time.

Halfway Top 10 Order FP2

Before the session resumed after the first red flag, 35 minutes already had been gone and the top 10 order was: 1. George Russell - 1:25.906 (M), 2. Daniel Ricciardo +0.468s (M), 3. Lance Stroll +0.504s (M), 4. Kevin Magnussen +0.507s (M), 5. Max Verstappen +0.547s (M), 6. Oscar Piastri +0.560s (M), 7. Charles Leclerc +0.665s (M), 8. Yuki Tsunoda +0.694s (M), 9. Valtteri Bottas +0.716s (H) & 10. Logan Sargeant +0.753 (S).

Second Red Flag

Later, a spin by Hulkenberg, resulting in rear wing damage, caused the second red flag. His car, showing signs of suspension damage, added to Haas's woes as they now face a race against time to prepare for FP3.

Standout Performances and Surprises

Despite the interruptions, several drivers managed to showcase their potential. George Russell of Mercedes topped the timing sheets for a significant portion of FP2. Lando Norris from McLaren, showing promising speed, was second fastest, narrowly trailing Leclerc.

Max Verstappen, in his Red Bull, could only manage the third fastest time, with his teammate Sergio Perez also struggling to maximize his lap. It was a session that hinted at a possible shake-up in the usual pecking order.

Looking Ahead to Qualifying

With the disrupted FP2 session, teams will be concerned about their lack of long-run data, especially considering the cooler conditions expected for the race. The pressure will be on in FP3, although it's expected to offer different conditions compared to what will be experienced in qualifying and the race.

Conclusions from FP2

As teams pack up, the key takeaways from FP2 are the strong one-lap pace of Ferrari and the potential for an open fight for the pole position. Leclerc has set the stage for an exciting qualifying session, but Verstappen and Norris, among others, are sure to be in the mix.

Quickest FP2 Sector Times

The quickest sector times in this PF2 were:

• Sector 1: 17.252 sec. by Oscar Piastri (McLaren MCL60).
• Sector 2: 36.251 sec. by Sergio Pérez (Red Bull RB19).
• Sector 3: 31.005 sec. by Max Verstappen (Red Bull RB19).

The quickest lap time during last years FP2 was a 1:25,146 min driven by Max Verstappen with the Red Bull RB18.

FP2 Times Table 2023 Abu Dhabi F1 GP

✅ Don't forget to check out the 2023 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix preview.

✅ Check out more posts with related topics: