FP2 Highlights | 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

Summary

During the second practice session in Bahrain, the Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell showed strong pace, topping the time sheets. Hamilton was fastest overall, with Alonso third fastest in the Aston Martin. Several drivers struggled with 'porpoising' and bottoming out on the bumpy track, including Russell, Norris, and the Ferraris. Magnussen also had issues over the curbs. There was an on-track incident between Stroll's Aston Martin and Verstappen's Red Bull, leading to frustration from the Dutchman. Leclerc topped the speed traps while Mercedes and Red Bull cars encountered various minor issues during the session.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamilton tops practice ahead of Russell in Mercedes 1-2
• 👀 Ride height an issue for several drivers including Russell
• 🏎 Norris complains of 'bottoming out' over curbs
• 🚘 Magnussen and Ferraris struggle over final section curbs
• 🚦 Albon and Alonso take wide lines to avoid curbs
• 🤬 Magnussen vents frustration after slow Aston holds him up
• 😡 Sergeant also on receiving end of Magnussen complaints
• 🏆 Mercedes look strong, Hamilton ahead of Alonso in P3
• ⚙️ Haas pairing of Magnussen and Schumacher finish in top 10
• 📉 McLaren's Ricciardo only 16th

Q & A

Who were the top two drivers in the practice sessions based on the times set?

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes were the top two drivers in the practice sessions based on the times set. Hamilton had the best overall time, about 0.210 seconds quicker than his teammate Russell in P2.

Which two former teammates set early quick times on the faster tires?

Former McLaren teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso opted for early runs on the faster tires, with Hamilton getting the better of the Alpine driver in those initial exchanges.

What issue did some drivers face due to the track conditions?

Some drivers faced issues with bottoming out and scraping the floor over the curbs due to the track conditions. Lando Norris, Kevin Magnussen, and both Ferraris were among those dealing with this.

Who caused the first driving complaint of the season from another driver?

Esteban Ocon was responsible for the first driving complaint after coming across a slow moving Aston Martin, drawing the ire of Charles Leclerc.

Which drivers were running wide at certain corners of the track?

Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso had wide berths at turn four, while Lance Stroll also found it tricky through that section.

How did Mercedes find more pace since pre-season testing?

Mercedes was able to find some extra pace since testing, with both Hamilton and Russell putting in decent times on their qualifying simulation runs.

Who rounded out the top 10 order behind the Mercedes drivers?

Behind the Mercedes drivers, Fernando Alonso was third, ahead of Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Guanyu Zhou, and Pierre Gasly in the top 10.

Which teams looked strongest based on practice pace?

Mercedes and Ferrari looked the strongest in practice pace based on the times and long run consistency.

Were there any major incidents or interruptions in the sessions?

There were no major incidents or red flags that interrupted the practice running.

What tire compound were drivers using for quick lap times early on?

Drivers were opting for early runs on the faster tire compound to set quick lap times before moving to longer runs.