Spanish Grand Prix 2016: Where to watch qualifying live and practice review
The Ferraris look the closest they have been all season at the Spanish Grand Prix, but it was still Nico Rosberg who set the fastest time of the weekend thus far in FP2. Kimi Raikkonen was the second and was just over two tenths behind, which bodes well for the weekend. Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel seemed to struggle with both drivers unable to set clean quick-timed laps, and were third and fourth respectively.
The Ferrari duo led the way in FP1, but that was due to Mercedes sticking to the medium option tyres rather than do a lap on the soft compound tyres, but when they did, they are quicker but not by much. However, Friday usually does not give a true idea of the pecking order; qualifying should give a clearer indication of each team's true pace.
Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat spent the day acclimatising themselves to their new cars after they switched places with the Dutch driver moving to Red Bull from Toro Rosso and the Russian moving in the opposite direction. Carlos Sainz put in an impressive performance to finish in fifth behind the two Mercedes and Ferraris showing that they will be contenders to get into Q3 during qualifying.
The Circuit de Catalunya, despite being a regular testing venue, is completely different during the race weekend. The track the cars tested on during pre-season was 20 degrees cooler than it was on Friday (13 May), which makes a lot of difference in the grip levels the track offers. Hamiton will be hoping for a clean weekend as he looks to claw his way back in the Drivers' World Championship, which Rosberg leads after winning the first four races of the season.
Where to watch live
The third free practice session begins on 14 May at 10am BST, while the qualifying session starts at 1pm BST. Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports F1 HD will provide live coverage of both events in the UK.
Real-time internet updates are available on the Live Timing section of the sport's official website.
Top 10 results of the second practice session from the Circuit De Catalunya, Barcelona
POS. | DRIVER | TIME | GAP |
1 | NICO ROSBERG | 1:23.922 | |
2 | KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN | 1:24.176 | +0.254s |
3 | LEWIS HAMILTON | 1:24.641 | +0.719s |
4 | SEBASTIAN VETTEL | 1:25.017 | +1.095s |
5 | CARLOS SAINZ | 1:25.131 | +1.209s |
6 | DANIEL RICCIARDO | 1:25.194 | +1.272s |
7 | FERNANDO ALONSO | 1:25.342 | +1.420s |
8 | MAX VERSTAPPEN | 1:25.375 | +1.453s |
9 | SERGIO PEREZ | 1:25.437 | +1.515s |
10 | NICO HULKENBERG | 1:25.453 | +1.531s |
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.