FP2: Vettel and Red Bull regain control at Suzuka

It will be extremely difficult to shake Sebastian Vettel this weekend in Suzuka. Discreet this morning, the three-time reigning world champion set the best time in the second free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix in 1'33"852. The German was 0”168 ahead of his teammate Mark Webber, who confirms the good form of the RB9 on this Japanese track.

In third place, we find the first Mercedes, namely that of the German Nico Rosberg, who is 0”262 behind the reference time. Although his session was cut short by a spin ending in a gravel trap, the Finnish Kimi Räikkönen (+0”350) took the fourth best time, just ahead of his French teammate. Romain Grosjean (+0 »559). The two Lotuses are sandwiched between the single-seaters bearing the star since Lewis Hamilton (+0 »590) is sixth. The Australian Daniel Ricciardo signs a fine seventh time which allows him to beat Felipe Massa, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, which complete the top 10.

On the French side, yes Jules Bianchi was unable to take to the track this afternoon, Jean-Eric Vergne climbed to 12th place between the two Saubers of Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg. As for Charles Pic, he is 19th.

Note that apart from the spin of Kimi Räikkönen, this session was disrupted by the exits of the track of Pastor Maldonado and Sergio Pérez, who both went to crash their car in a pile of tires. Announced today, the rain will never have appeared.

See you tomorrow at 4 a.m. for the third free practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.