Lewis Hamilton Dominates as FP2 Concludes - The Highlights You Can't Miss from the Spanish GP
The 2024 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix’s second free practice session (FP2) saw Lewis Hamilton showcase his driving prowess, setting an impressive pace on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Mercedes driver clocked the fastest lap time of 1:13.264 seconds, placing him at the top of the timesheets and setting the stage for a thrilling race weekend.
Carlos Sainz Jr., Spain's own homegrown talent, put up a stellar performance for Ferrari, trailing Hamilton by a mere 0.022 seconds. His effort not only showcased his racing skill but also ignited the crowd's enthusiasm. McLaren's Lando Norris rounded off the top three with a commendable lap time of 1:13.319 seconds, ensuring that three different teams occupied the top podium positions.
Team Performances and Notable Surprises
Pierre Gasly impressed everyone by securing the fourth fastest time in his Alpine, while Max Verstappen, the Red Bull superstar, completed the top five. Verstappen’s time of 1:13.504 seconds was notably slower than the fastest lap, suggesting that Red Bull might need to tweak their setup before the main event.
Charles Leclerc, another Ferrari ace, improved significantly from his lackluster FP1 session and managed to finish sixth in FP2. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri continued to show his potential, grabbing the seventh spot. George Russell ensured Mercedes remained a threat by clocking the eighth-fastest time, providing strong support for his team leader, Hamilton.
Esteban Ocon delivered a solid ninth place for Alpine, while Valtteri Bottas completed the top ten for Sauber, showcasing a balanced performance across the grid.
Full FP2 Results
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:13.264 | - |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Ferrari | 1:13.286 | +0.022 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:13.319 | +0.055 |
| 4 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:13.443 | +0.179 |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:13.504 | +0.240 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:13.596 | +0.333 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:13.622 | +0.358 |
| 8 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:13.722 | +0.458 |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:13.766 | +0.502 |
| 10 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 1:13.924 | +0.660 |
| 11 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:14.021 | +0.757 |
| 12 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:14.053 | +0.789 |
| 13 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1:14.081 | +0.817 |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:14.091 | +0.827 |
| 15 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | 1:14.211 | +0.947 |
| 16 | Daniel Ricciardo | RB | 1:14.257 | +0.992 |
| 17 | Guanyu Zhou | Sauber | 1:14.345 | +1.081 |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:14.402 | +1.138 |
| 19 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1:14.807 | +1.543 |
| 20 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 1:15.070 | +1.806 |
Looking Ahead
With the FP2 session wrapped up, all eyes are now on the upcoming Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself. Hamilton’s dominant lap hints at a potential Mercedes resurgence, while Ferrari and McLaren appear equally poised to challenge for the coveted top spots.
As the weekend progresses, teams will undoubtedly make strategic adjustments, seeking that perfect balance of speed and reliability. Stay tuned as the Spanish GP promises more high-octane action and riveting battles on the tarmac.