FP2 at Spa: Räikkönen keeps Ferrari at the top

Kimi Räikkönen, four-time winner at Spa-Francorchamps, set the best time in the second free practice session by completing the 7,004 km of the Ardennes route in 1'43''555. The 2007 world champion is ahead of the current leader in the Drivers ranking Lewis Hamilton of 0,168s.

The pilot Mercedes precedes his teammate Valtteri Bottas, who will have to start from the back of the grid whatever happens for having exceeded its usage quota on several elements of its hybrid powertrain.

Max Verstappen place Red Bull motor Renault in 4th row, in front of Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel, who had been the fastest in the morning. Slowed down in his progress in EL1 due to an injector problem, Daniel Ricciardo was able to cover more laps in the afternoon but he ranks in the same position: 6th.

Sergio Pérez confirms the good intentions of Racing Point Force India, the new name of the Force India team saved during the summer, with the 7th best time. The Mexican clearly gets the better of the Renault of Carlos Sainz which follows by more than eight tenths.

The two Saubers of Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc complete the Top 10 on a circuit where the new Ferrari engine specification that they are bringing from Hungary can fully express itself.

At the forefront this morning, Esteban Ocon (Racing Point Force India) is satisfied with 13th place in EL2, just behind Romain Grosjean (Haas), best ranked of the three French drivers.

Pierre Gasly is the best representative Toro Rosso-Honda but it only occupies 15th place, ahead Fernando Alonso which made its track debut this afternoon. The Spanish of McLaren had left his place to the reservist Lando Norris during the first ride.

For his home meeting, Stoffel Vandoorne continues to carry his cross. The Belgian finished last again, behind the Williams by Sergey Sirotkin and Lance stroll, more than 3,1s from the reference time.

The 3rd and final free practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix will take place on Saturday at noon. It will be followed by the qualifications to be followed live with commentary on CARhebdo.fr from 15:00 p.m.

A good day at the office for @ScuderiaFerrari as Kimi takes top spot in FP2 #BelgianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/xCwn2LugFY

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 24, 2018