Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the second free Friday practice before the Abu Dhabi Grand prix, last round of the 2017 Formula 1 championship.
The Mercedes driver broke his own Yas Marina Circuit record in the session, which was the most representative as conditions close to qualifying and the race. But the Englishman was not impressed with the tyres. At the very end of the session, he declared them the worst he has ever driven. The reason for his mood were vibrations, plaguing his car after a long stint of 23 laps with supersoft.
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) was second, 0.149sec slower than Hamilton. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull recorded the third time. Kimi Raikkonen, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen were close as well at fourth, fifth and sixth position in the standings.
The Force India drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon were seventh and eighth. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) and Fernando Alonso (McLaren) completed the top 10.
Pascal Wehrlein made the most laps during the session – 43.
Meanwhile, Sauber’s team principal Frederic Vasseur said that the decision on the team’s drivers for 2018 will not be ready this weekend. There were expectations that the Hinwil team will announce its line-up in Abu Dhabi. According to paddock insiders, the only question is if Marcus Ericsson or Antonio Giovinazzi will be Charles Leclerc’s teammate next season.
Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the second free Friday practice before the Abu Dhabi Grand prix, last round of the 2017 Formula 1 championship
Final timing screen from #FP2 at the #AbuDhabiGP ? pic.twitter.com/SbQ4YIHG1w
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) November 24, 2017
