Cloudier weather than in FP1 in Melbourne, where the hierarchies seen in the first free practice session are reconfirming themselves: Ferrari that shines both on the fastest lap, with Leclerc posting the first time with a 1:18.978, and on the race pace simulation tried at the end of the session. Red bull a little more 'difficult' than usual with setting up, despite the second time of the reigning world champion, two tenths and a half behind the Monegasque (1:19.223). Just behind, in third, Sainz is positioned with a 1:19.376, followed by Alonso: Sainz's compatriot amazes by positioning himself fourth, ahead of Perez. Then follow Ocon, Bottas, Norris, Gasly and Ricciardo. A little further back, the Silver Arrows: eleventh time for George Russel and thirteenth for the seven-time world champion, did not convince the Mercedes in the qualifying simulation.
Changes made by Red Bull, which brings back the new endplates on the front wing already seen in FP1. The drivers' world champion team worked a lot on the setup proposing a more loaded set-up, in contrast to what it showed in the first two Grands Prix of the season; this was very noticeable on the straights: the RB18 left a more pronounced river of sparks than we were used to. Verstappen, after complaining about the balance of his car, highlighted how his car did not perform well in fast corners, due to understeer which made it difficult for him to find the apex.
Changes also at Ferrari: the team has in fact made a modification to the diffuser as an experiment, however only experimental as reported by Motorsport.com Italia. The F1-75, with 'equal' set-up loaded with the enemy, behaves quite well, so much so that it is the most convincing in terms of race pace (about one tenth ahead of the direct enemy). Downside: very noticeable porpoising on the straights, which seemed to have returned to pre-season test levels.
More anonymous Mercedes and an improving McLaren: still top 10 for the Woking single-seater. Aston Martin was left without a car in this session, in fact after the engine failure in FP1, Vettel was forced not to take part in FP2. Haas and Williams at the bottom of the standings: still last 4 positions.
strategies:
Speaking to Sky, Pirelli Motorsport Manager Mario Isola hypothesizes that the race will be a single stop, also speaking of the lap times between the compounds: about eight tenths between one compound and another.
SOURCE: Sky Italia, Motorsport.com Italia
