Just finished FP2 on the Miami circuit with Max Verstappen which closes the session in P1. The time, already lower than that of last year's pole position, is 1'27 "930, the only one to drop below 28.
Sainz ahead of Leclerc, but less than a tenth
In second and third position conclude the two of Ferrari, respectively with Carlos Sainz e Charles Leclerc. Both looked quite fit over the flying lap, with the Spaniard slightly quicker than the Monegasque; the latter, however, made some mistakes with new tyres, first in turns 1 and then between 11 and 12. Furthermore, after two laps of race pace simulation, the #16 ended up against the barriers in turn 8 for that which appeared to be a rear tire overheating. We will therefore see if this will be confirmed in FP3 lack of feeling by Leclerc.
Perez fourth, all very compact behind
In P4 we find Sergio Perez, winner of the last grand prix a Baku. The Mexican, however, did not look like the one seen last week, so much so that he almost caught himself half a second by the teammate. What surprises positively is instead the McLaren that, with Lando Norris, takes the checkered flag in P6. Signs of recovery from the English team which, like Red Bull, has already brought its updates to the last grand prix. The three free practices of this weekend will be to understand if the multiple world champion team has returned to the top or if this is only A bolt from the blue. In fifth position the usual Aston Martin with Fernando Alonso, always there to annoy trying to maximize the data. The same goes for Mercedes, who closes FP2 in P8 with Lewis Hamilton and in P15 with George Russell: the German manufacturer concentrated above all on the race pace simulation, probably without revving the engine in qualifying practice.
What does the race pace of FP2 tell us?
As usual, the second free practice session is always that of tests for the race, even if the red flag caused by Ferrari has messed up the plans of the teams. However, the substance is always the same: Red Bull it is confirmed as the strongest, both in terms of degradation and in terms of speed with a full tank of fuel. The two Reds, on the other hand, seemed more extinguished, showing tire degradation quite high despite having done a few laps. Precisely this would have led to what in jargon is called "snap”, or the sudden loss of the rear by car number 16.
FP2 Miami, the results
1 Max Verstappen
2 Carlos Sainz
3 Charles Leclerc
4 Sergio Perez
5 Ferandno Alonso
6 Lando Norris
7 Lewis Hamilton
8 Lance Stroll
9 Esteban Ocon
10 Alexander Albon
11 Pierre Gasly
12Kevin Magnussen
13 Guanyu Zhou
14 Valtteri Bottas
15George Russell
16 Oscar Plates
17 Nico Hulkenberg
18 Yuki Tsunoda
19 Nyck DeVries
20 Logan Sargeant
ARTICLE BY FRANCESCO ORLANDO
