FP2 – Mercedes uncontested, Grosjean spins

Comfortably ahead of their opponents after the first free practice session (half a second faster than the Ferrari), both Mercedes were once again the fastest during the second session on Friday in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Lewis Hamilton was faster than his teammate Valtteri Bottas by barely five hundredths.

However, the gap separating the Briton from Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull, 3e) amounts to two tenths. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), gains momentum with a fourth best time, three tenths behind the Silver Arrow.

As for the Force India team, the smile is on display at Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman, ranked 7th, is well ahead of Sergio Pérez (12th). The stable Renault grabbed a few positions between the two sessions; here they are 9th (Nico Hulkenberg) and 11th (Carlos Sainz Jr).

After their nightmarish morning, Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso, 16th) and Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso, 17th) managed to carry out race simulations. Romain Grosjean (Haas, 15th), despite a spectacular spin, finished ahead of the other Haas entrusted for the occasion to the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, ranked 20th and last.

The third free practice session will begin on Saturday at around 14 p.m. French time.