Bottas and Mercedes continue their momentum in FP2 at Suzuka

Valtteri Bottas is he holding his first pole position since the Silverstone meeting last July? This could be the case if by chance the qualifications, postponed until Sunday morning due to the passage of Typhoon Hagibis, ultimately did not take place. Remember that the Suzuka Stewards College decided to take the ranking of Free Practice 2 to determine the grid for the Japanese Grand Prix if such a scenario should arise. 

However, the best time in EL2, synonymous with provisional pole position in a way, belongs to Bottas with a time of 1’27”785. The Finn would potentially be accompanied on the front line by his garage neighbor and rival for the title Lewis Hamilton. The world championship leader is exactly a tenth behind. 

The 3rd position is occupied by the Red Bull de Max Verstappen, to the delight of many Honda fans. The Dutchman is less than three tenths behind and ahead of the highest ranked Ferrari, that of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque has 0''356 of expenditure on Bottas' reference and precedes his teammate Sebastian Vettel as well as the second Red Bull driven by Alexander albon. 

For those who wanted a little originality in the Top 6, it was clearly missed. 

Carlos Sainz confirms his very good disposition by once again taking the 7th time to McLaren. Ditto for Sergio Pérez at Racing Point: the Mexican sets the 8th time for the second session in a row. Let us salute the great performance of Pierre Gasly, who had to leave his seat to the Japanese Naoki Yamamoto this morning in EL1. Despite his lack of rolling, the Frenchman hoists his Toro Rosso in 9th row, in front Lando Norris (McLaren). Kimi Räikkönen and Alfa Romeo finish just outside the Top 10. 

Discreet session for Romain Grosjean, even if the Frenchman, author of the 13th fastest time, precedes his teammate Kevin Magnussen three places and almost two tenths. THE Renault are extremely discreet since they only get ahead of the restive Williams. Daniel Ricciardo must settle for 17th time, one place ahead Nico Hulkenberg. In the French camp, we really have to hope that the qualifying session takes place on Sunday morning...