Abu Dhabi – EL2: McLaren double, Haas in good shape

• A few hours after Free Practice 1 invaded by rookie drivers, all the regular drivers were able to take to the track for Free Practice 2 held at dusk, on the Yas Marina circuit. After Charles Leclerc during EL1, it is the turn of Lando Norris to sign the best time of EL2, in 1'23″517. The Briton leads a double McLaren, since it is Oscar piastri (+0″234) who set the second fastest time of the session. A session shared between qualifying simulations and long stints to work on the race, in necessarily cooler conditions with night falling.
• Already in good form during EL1, Nico Hulkenberg confirmed the good condition of the Haas VF-24 in Abu Dhabi this Friday. The German set the 3rd time (+0″462), less than half a second behind the two McLarens. Kevin Magnussen, who will compete in his last Grand Prix for the American team on Sunday, set the 8th fastest time (+0″718). An ideal preparation for the American team, which is fighting for 6th place in the Constructors' Championship against Alpine.
• Leading FP1 earlier in the afternoon, the Team Ferrari has to settle for the places of honour in this Free Practice 2. After having given up his seat to Arthur Leclerc during the first session, Carlos Sainz – future pilot Williams – achieved the 4th time (+0″582), while Charles Leclerc set the 6th time (+0″684). The two Ferrari drivers sandwich… a future Ferrari driver, since Lewis Hamilton (+0″602) is inserted in 5th place.
• Great session also for Valtteri Bottas. The Finn, who will bid farewell to Sauber on Sunday evening, set the 7th fastest time in FP2. The Finn is the only regular driver not to have scored a point this season, and the man with 10 Grand Prix victories will be hoping to remedy that for his possible final weekend in Formula 1.
• Valtteri Bottas also had a good session. The Finn, who will bid farewell to Sauber on Sunday evening, set the 7th fastest time in FP2. The Finn is the only regular driver not to have scored a point this season, and the man with 10 Grand Prix victories is hoping to remedy that for his possible last weekend in Formula 1.
• The Red Bulls were very (too?) discreet in this second session: the two cars are outside the Top 10, with the 14th time of Sergio Pérez (+1″038) and the 17th time of Max Verstappen (+1″081). The four-time world champion, who will soon be a dad, took back the wheel of his RB20 after having handed it over to Isack Hadjar during EL1.
• Studious session but not really impressive on the home side Alpine : Pierre Gasly (+ 1″000) took the 12th time while Jack Doohan signed the 19th and penultimate time (+1″444). The Australian, who is not equipped with the latest developments on his A524, was only ahead of Franco Colapinto in this session: the Williams driver was stuck in the garage for a long time after damaging his floor on a kerb at turn 9.

F1 – Abu Dhabi GP
Free Practice 2 – Ranking

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