Miami, EL2 – Russell creates a surprise, Sainz again at fault

Mercedes confirmed the start of the recovery seen in free practice 1, since George Russell (Mercedes) signed the surprise of the day by setting the best time in the second free practice session. The Briton beat the Ferrari de Charles Leclerc (+0 »106) and the Red Bull de Sergio Perez (+0 »212). Very fit since the start of the season, the former driver Williams has once again moved ahead Lewis Hamilton (4th, +0 »241), without us really knowing if the two men used the same settings. 

Visually, Russell's car seemed to bounce more and be closer to the ground than Hamilton's, which was more stable but a little less maneuverable. After four complicated weekends, Mercedes is still looking for answers to its questions, particularly concerning porpoising. Also note the 5th place of Fernando Alonso with Alpine (+0 »434), in front Lando Norris (McLaren, +0 »597). On the French side, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) ranks 7th (+0 »609) while his compatriot Esteban Ocon he signed the 9th time (+0 »923). 

Sainz, repeat

For its part, Carlos Sainz did not help his case by being the author of another off-track event after just twenty minutes of session. Already out in Melbourne in the race and in Imola in qualifying, the Spaniard once again lost his car at the end of the second sector, in the narrowest part, just before approaching the chicane (T 14).

Considering the position of his car on the track, the red flag was displayed for almost ten minutes, the time to clear the track. As a reminder, the Spaniard also had a big scare during FP1, spinning violently at turn 4, miraculously escaping without hitting, with a simple puncture. On the other hand, it is a small blow for Ferrari, which will once again have to be content with technical feedback from its flagship driver Charles Leclerc. 

Carlos Sainz ended up in the wall. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Note that the gearbox Max Verstappen was changed as a precaution after the Dutchman lightly touched the wall at the exit of turn 16 during Free Practice 1. The Red Bull driver also had a complicated session, since he was only able to exit the track until 'mid-session. And again... the Batavian had to immediately return to his box, complaining about the harshness of his steering, before his brake duct started to burn at the right rear. 

A second red flag was waved twelve minutes from time following the stop on the track of Nicholas latifi (Williams). The Canadian, this time, did not tap. He was simply betrayed by his mechanics, and the red flag was finally waved for only three minutes. The drivers then came out for ten minutes, mainly on Medium tires and with gasoline to get a better idea of ​​the long stints. To note that Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), injured in Free Practice 1, did not take part in the session. See you this Saturday from 19 p.m. French time for Free Practice 3, before qualifying from 22 p.m. 

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