Autosport

Williams Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa set the pace in a rain-hit second practice for the Russian Grand Prix, as only eight drivers set a time.

The Brazilian clocked a 2m00.458s on the full wet tyres at the Sochi Autodrom as rain fell throughout the session.

Drivers bemoaned the slippery conditions, with several getting caught out by the large amounts of standing water on the track.

It compounded a frustrating day for the pitlane as a “significant diesel spillage”disrupted the start of first practice.

As a result, teams will have to complete a packed-programme in final practice on Saturday to make up for lost time.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was second quickest, ahead of the second Williams of Valtteri Botta, both setting their best laps late on.

Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen, who was told he couldn’t do a flying lap towards the end of the session because the team needed to save tyres as a precaution for Sunday’s race, was fourth.

Fernando Alonso was fifth, completing 12 laps, but his session ended slightly early when McLaren instructed him to return to the pits having discovered a problem with his car.

Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz Jr and Jenson Button were the other drivers who set a time.

Six drivers, including world champion Lewis Hamilton, ventured out but did not complete a timed lap while a further six chose to not leave the garage at all.

PRACTICE TWO TIMES:

PosDriverCarTimeGapLaps
1Felipe MassaWilliams/Mercedes2m00.458s6
2Sebastian VettelFerrari2m00.659s0.201s8
3Valtteri BottasWilliams/Mercedes2m00.688s0.230s8
4Max VerstappenToro Rosso/Renault2m00.806s0.348s7
5Fernando AlonsoMcLaren/Honda2m01.077s0.619s12
6Daniil KvyatRed Bull/Renault2m01.418s0.960s6
7Carlos SainzToro Rosso/Renault2m02.805s2.347s7
8Jenson ButtonMcLaren/Honda2m02.845s2.387s8
9Nico RosbergMercedes6
10Marcus EricssonSauber/Ferrari3
11Lewis HamiltonMercedes3
12Sergio PerezForce India/Mercedes3
13Nico HulkenbergForce India/Mercedes3
14Daniel RicciardoRed Bull/Renault1

Inconclusive day as diesel spill and rain hit Sochi F1 practice

  • Autosport
    About The Author
    -

    5 × 5 =

    You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>