Free 2: McLaren confirms, Rosberg too

After a cool first session, the temperature rose a little in Shanghai for the second session. The track has thus risen to more than 25°C, offering better grip than previously. Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) is the first to set a competitive time, running in 1:38:091. On the other hand, his teammate, Sébastien Buemi, victim of an accident in the first session (see video), waits patiently for his car to be brought back up.

Duetists Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton then enter the track. During the first session, both men were very fast. Here again, the two Britons are very fast and occupy the forefront. Jenson Button takes the lead (1), before Lewis Hamilton takes over (36, 988). Behind, Jenson Button is not far away (1), as is Adrian Sutil (36).

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), already well on the pace during the first session with the second time, is this time at the top of the list (1:35??574). Lewis Hamilton, faster than his teammate during this session, showed it again by significantly improving his time (1:35:217), which allowed him to place at the top of the timesheet, ahead of Nico Rosberg.

The latter improves his time (1:35:465) but fails to catch up with Lewis Hamilton. For his part, his teammate, Michael Schumacher climbs to fourth place (1?35??602). Jenson Button also improved, consolidating his third place (1:35:593).

As for several weekends, the McLaren and the Mercedes show up while the Red Bull and Ferrari work discreetly. However, a few minutes before the end of the session, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber climb into fifth and sixth position, while Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, also preparing their car for the race, are in the middle of the table.

Behind the McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull drivers, who occupy the first six rows, we find the Force India of Adrian Sutil and, just behind, the Toro Rosso of Jaime Alguersuari. The young Spaniard offers a very interesting pace, while showing himself to be the most diligent on the track with more than 40 laps covered.

Times are no longer moving, Sébastien Buemi is not coming out, McLaren confirms its status by putting its two drivers on the podium. Nico Rosberg also confirms, ranking in second place for the second consecutive session. The “world champion in free practice” is placed before the second day of racing, important for Mercedes, which now hopes to move up the hierarchy. Bluffing is still allowed this Friday but, tomorrow, the teams will have to bring down all their trump cards and reveal their true value.