Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time in the 2nd free practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, 21st round (out of 22) of the Formula 1 World Championship, Friday night at the Jeddah street circuit (6.174 km). Already the fastest in free practice 1 in 1 min 29 sec 786/1000, the seven-time world champion lowered his time to 1 min 29 sec 018/1000 during this night session, the only representative of qualifying conditions on Saturday and of the race on Sunday, also scheduled in the evening. Hamilton edged Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas by 61/1000, Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) by 81/1000 and Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), championship leader but only 4th, 195/1000.
The Mercedes riders were wearing medium tires, which were slower on one lap than the soft tires of their rivals.
The session ended five minutes earlier than expected after a big accident for Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
Spun off at turn 23, very fast, the Monegasque hit the safety barriers, seriously damaging his car.
He came out of this crash unscathed.
Verstappen can win his first title in the premier class of motorsport at the end of this penultimate round of the season, and the first in the history of F1 played in Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah Corniche circuit is Mercedes-friendly
To do this, he must extend his lead over Hamilton at the top of the world championship from eight to at least 26 lengths, which means to score 18 points more than him.
This implies that the 24-year-old rider finishes 1st or 2nd Sunday (which, barring an incident, is well within his reach) and his 36-year-old rival stumbles (which is less likely).
Indeed, on paper, the Jeddah Corniche circuit is favorable to Mercedes.
This very long track certainly has 27 bends but they are almost only slight curves, which makes it a particularly fast track.
Under these conditions, the top speed of the German single-seaters should be an advantage.
Free practice 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 5:00 p.m. local (3:00 p.m. French), before qualifying at 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m.).
2nd free practice session:
Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 29.018 (22 laps)
Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 29.079 (23)
Pierre Gasly (FRA / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 29.099 (22)
Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 29.213 (20)
Fernando Alonso (ESP / Alpine-Renault) 1: 29.441 (21)
Esteban Ocon (FRA / Alpine-Renault) 1: 29.555 (22)
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / Ferrari) 1: 29.589 (24)
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 29.597 (20)
Sergio Pérez (MEX / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 29.768 (22)
Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 29.772 (23)
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / McLaren-Mercedes) 1: 29.968 (22)
Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Mercedes) 1: 30.004 (19)
Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 30.110 (23)
Kimi Räikkönen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 30.276 (24)
Lance Stroll (CAN / Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1: 30.442 (22)
Sebastian Vettel (GER / Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1: 30.502 (22)
George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 30.506 (24)
Mick Schumacher (GER / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 30.652 (20)
Nicholas Latifi (CAN / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 31.039 (23)
Nikita Mazepin (RUS / Haas -Ferrari) 1: 31.629 (20)