2023-05-05 22:33:08
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The peloton is very tight behind the Red Bull driver
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Free Practice 2 of the Miami Grand Prix took place, following a first session dominated by the Mercedes. The 20 drivers returned to the track at the Miami International Autodrome for a second hour of testing.
Carlos Sainz signed the first reference, quickly beaten by Charles Leclerc, then by Alex Albon who came between the two Ferraris. Sergio Pérez took the lead, Pierre Gasly was third, and Max Verstappen got everyone to agree in 1’30″146.
These drivers were on medium tyres, and Leclerc improved to 1’29.497, while the Mercedes drivers returned to the track. George Russell set the seventh fastest time, behind the astonishing Logan Sargeant, solid at the start of the session.
Esteban Ocon took fifth, and Nico Hülkenberg returned to the top 10. The Haas driver had no severe damage following his EL1 crash. His team-mate, Kevin Magnussen, came out at the chicane and touched the wall slightly, but was able to restart.
Verstappen once more took the best time in 1’29″380. Russell moved up to fourth place, still on medium tires. Fernando Alonso set the sixth fastest time, and Albon took ninth place from Sargeant. Lewis Hamilton s is placed seventh.
Verstappen complained regarding his headrest and had to stay in the pits while the team put it back in place and checked the attachment of this protective piece. Jo Bauer, the FIA safety delegate, even came to check in the garage that the car was up to standard.
The drivers put on soft rubbers, and the McLarens took the lead, Lando Norris setting a 1’28″741, while Oscar Piastri was placed just behind. Alonso got in between, before Sainz overtook him. Leclerc had gone to overtake Norris but missed in the last sector.
Pérez set the fourth fastest time ahead of Piastri, and Albon took third position. Verstappen improved to 1’28″255. Sainz closed to 0″060, but the Dutchman accelerated to 1’27″930.
The second part of the session was devoted to testing long runs, in order to work on the race. But regarding ten minutes from the end of the session, Leclerc lost control in turn 9 around the Marina.
The Monegasque lost the rear of the car, corrected the trajectory and raced straight towards the TecPros, failing to stop his car in the visibly dusty clearing.
Verstappen was unbeaten and leads Sainz and Leclerc, while Pérez is fourth. Alonso follows ahead of Norris, Hamilton, Stroll, Ocon and Albon, then the other Alpine de Gasly, 11th. Russell is only 15th ahead of Piastri, while the AlphaTauri are 18th and 19th, and Sargeant last.
The gaps are tight since there is less than a second between the second and the fourteenth. This promises an interesting weekend, especially in qualifying.
| Pos. | Pilot | Car | Temps | Tours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda RBPT RB19 | 1:27.930 | 23 |
| 02 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari SF-23 | 1:28.315 | 26 |
| 03 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari SF-23 | 1:28.398 | 20 |
| 04 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Honda RBPT RB19 | 1:28.419 | 24 |
| 05 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR23 | 1:28.660 | 25 |
| 06 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes MCL60 | 1:28.741 | 24 |
| 07 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes W14 | 1:28.858 | 23 |
| 08 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR23 | 1:28.930 | 23 |
| 09 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault A523 | 1:28.937 | 25 |
| 10 | Alex Albon | Williams Mercedes FW45 | 1:29.046 | 26 |
| 11 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault A523 | 1:29.098 | 22 |
| 12 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari VF-23 | 1:29.171 | 22 |
| 13 | Guanyu Zhou | Alfa Romeo Ferrari C43 | 1:29.181 | 27 |
| 14 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo Ferrari C43 | 1:29.189 | 26 |
| 15 | George Russell | Mercedes W14 | 1:29.216 | 21 |
| 16 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes MCL60 | 1:29.339 | 24 |
| 17 | Nico Hülkenberg | Haas Ferrari VF-23 | 1:29.393 | 22 |
| 18 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri Honda RBPT AT04 | 1:29.613 | 25 |
| 19 | Nyck de Vries | AlphaTauri Honda RBPT AT04 | 1:29.928 | 25 |
| 20 | Logan Sargeant | Williams Mercedes FW45 | 1:30.038 | 27 |
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#Formula #Miami #EL2 #Verstappen #ahead #Ferrari #Leclerc #wall