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FP2 Report: Ferrari bid to become contenders in Monaco with one-two

20 May 2021 at 15:00
Last update 20 May 2021 at 15:03
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz demonstrated they are real contenders to win the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix by setting the two fastest lap times in the second free practice session. Leclerc posted a 1:11.684 around his home circuit, with Sainz just 0.112 seconds behind. The two Ferrari drivers also set the fastest laps in each sector. 

Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top three, with Max Verstappen just 0.007 seconds behind his rival. Fuel loads and engine modes are unknown, but at Monaco, it's always more important to get a better set-up in qualifying. 

Busy circuit

After a really positive morning session for the Spaniard, Carlos Sainz came out of the garage first. Charles Leclerc quickly followed behind which wasn't a surprise given he missed 50 minutes of FP1 with an issue at the back of his Ferrari car. 

In what is likely to be a foreshadow of the situation in Q1, traffic became awkward at the end of the circuit as drivers tried to leave enough space ahead of them. After the flurry of laps, Sainz found himself at the top of the timesheet. Red Bull Racing once again demonstrated their pace with purple sectors to take the top two places after 10 minutes. 

Hamilton's first fast lap of the session matched Verstappen's 1:13.499 time at the top of the timesheets. The Dutchman improved, but traffic caused problems for him meaning Hamilton set the fastest time the second time around. 

Some surprises

As the two Mercedes traded laps at the top, Alfa Romeo made some loud noises. For a good chunk of the session, Antonio Giovinazzi found himself in P3 with Kimi Raikkonen not far behind in P7. Nicholas Latifi brought out the yellow flags as he made a mistake at the hairpin. 

Gasly tried to add to the list of surprises with the fastest sector two time of the session in his 19th lap. He got hampered by a bit of traffic in the final corner but got himself deep into the top ten. Leclerc then posted a 1:11.684 to go fastest. 

Mick Schumacher hit the barriers towards the end of the session. The Haas driver managed to drive off with a puncture but he parked at the Nouvelle Chicane. The car remained exposed slightly which brought out the red flag to end the session. 

FP2 standings