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FP2 report: Mercedes complete Friday practice one-two double in Japan

11 October 2019 at 07:30
Last update 11 October 2019 at 07:55
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Mercedes have completed a Friday practice one-two double, as Valtteri Bottas tops his second session of the day in Japan. If qualifying is cancelled on Sunday, Bottas will start the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position with Lewis Hamilton also on the front-row. 

Max Verstappen rounded out the top three in the session which featured the traditional long-runs in preparation for the race and some qualifying simulations towards the end of the session. 

Charles Leclerc finished ahead of Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari struggled to trouble either Aston Martin Red Bull Racing or Mercedes. They attempted for a hot lap towards the end of the session, but traffic prevented them from toppling the leaders. 

How did it happen? 

As soon as the FIA confirmed results from the FP2 session might be used as the starting grid (should qualifying on a Sunday be unable to run), extra emphasis and focus was applied.

Vettel emerged early from the garage to set the first fastest lap while Leclerc was left parked as Ferrari mechanics dashed around to fix a small issue with his car. Vettel's tenure at the top of the timesheets didn't last long as Bottas was quick to flex his muscles to claim back his P1 he achieved in FP1. 

Bottas and Hamilton remained at the top for the next 15 minutes despite strong lap times from Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo. It was Ferrari's German driver who reclaimed top stop with the first serious lap of the afternoon. 

The Mercedes duo put on the soft tyres, but things didn't go as smoothly as they would have wanted. As Bottas went around the final corner of the out-lap, he spun the car around which ruined both laps. Hamilton nailed it the next time around to go fastest again. 

Drivers and teams then slipped into the usual long-run part of FP2. Bottas and Hamilton swapped places on the timesheets just before the long-runs started. Verstappen managed to jump ahead of Vettel during this time as well. 

Ferrari didn't look strong during the session but with five minutes to go, Leclerc and Vettel put on the soft tyres and turned the engines up for a serious qualifying run. Neither Leclerc or Vettel could cause any trouble at the top and finished in 4th and 5th.