Formula 1: LeClerc quickest in FP2

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16 LECLERC Charles (mco), Scuderia Ferrari SF-24, action during the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2024, 17th round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship from September 13 to 15, 2024 on the Baku City Circuit, in Baku, Azerbaijan – Photo DPPI

Recovering from an early FP1 crash, Charles LeClerc set the pace during free practice 2 ahead of Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton with only 0.066s separating the three drivers at the end of the session as teams and drivers ran simulated qualifying runs in anticipation of tomorrow evenings knockout qualifying session.

Drivers were keen to jump back on track after the early afternoons interrupted running as all three tire compounds saw usage during the second hour of practice. LeClerc, despite being quickest, wasn’t out of trouble as Ferrari responded to reports from the Monegasque driver that “the car is bent somewhere” as he narrowly avoided a duplicate moment to FP1 in turn 15. Despite the concerns, no data indicated any issues and LeClerc was forced to put aside his doubts as he set the quickest time at the end of the session, slotting his Ferrari ahead of Sergio Perez’s Red Bull by 0.006s.

HIGHLIGHTS: Relive the action from FP2 as Leclerc goes fastest in Baku

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz had another strong session, putting his Ferrari 4th on the timesheets despite a brush with the wall on the exit of turn 1 as he led the way mid-way through the session on the medium compound tires. Max Verstappen also had a moment of his own as the dusty track proved to be a headache for many, nearly hitting the barriers in turn 5 after locking up on entry to the corner.

Oscar Piastri led the session for McLaren as he ended his afternoon 5th on the time sheet ahead of Lance Stroll and the very strong Haas of Nico Hulkenberg in 8th place. George Russell ended 9th quickest after a strong FP1 and Oliver Bearman put his Haas into tenth after just missing out in FP1 – another strong showing for the young driver. Further down the order, Alex Albon and rookie Colapinto put their William’s machines into 13th and 14th as Alpine and Kick Sauber brought up the rear of the field after another lackluster performance.

Friday’s running is concluded and with that teams will regroup for tomorrows final practice ahead of the evenings qualifying session. Tune in live at 12:30 local time to catch everything live.

Free Practice 1 Report: CLICK HERE

FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN 2024 Schedule

DateSessionTime (Local Circuit)
Sept. 13thPractice 113:30 – 14:30
Practice 217:00 – 18:00
Sept. 14thPractice 312:30 – 1:30
Qualifying16:00 – 17:00
Sept. 15thRace15:00

Free Practice 2 Results:

Pos

No

Driver

Car

Time

Gap

Laps

1

16

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

1:43.484

20

2

11

Sergio Perez

Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT

1:43.490

+0.006s

23

3

44

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

1:43.550

+0.066s

22

4

55

Carlos Sainz

Ferrari

1:43.950

+0.466s

25

5

81

Oscar Piastri

McLaren Mercedes

1:43.983

+0.499s

25

6

1

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT

1:44.029

+0.545s

24

7

18

Lance Stroll

Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes

1:44.093

+0.609s

24

8

27

Nico Hulkenberg

Haas Ferrari

1:44.475

+0.991s

24

9

63

George Russell

Mercedes

1:44.536

+1.052s

16

10

50

Oliver Bearman

Haas Ferrari

1:44.547

+1.063s

24

11

22

Yuki Tsunoda

RB Honda RBPT

1:44.645

+1.161s

24

12

14

Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes

1:44.683

+1.199s

25

13

23

Alexander Albon

Williams Mercedes

1:44.737

+1.253s

25

14

43

Franco Colapinto

Williams Mercedes

1:44.749

+1.265s

23

15

77

Valtteri Bottas

Kick Sauber Ferrari

1:44.785

+1.301s

24

16

3

Daniel Ricciardo

RB Honda RBPT

1:45.056

+1.572s

26

17

4

Lando Norris

McLaren Mercedes

1:45.156

+1.672s

25

18

10

Pierre Gasly

Alpine Renault

1:45.391

+1.907s

22

19

31

Esteban Ocon

Alpine Renault

1:45.810

+2.326s

24

20

24

Zhou Guanyu

Kick Sauber Ferrari

1:45.947

+2.463s

25