Free 2: Sebastian Vettel remains fastest at India

The Red Bull duo remain on top at the Buddh International Circuit

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26 October 2012 - 12:09
Free 2: Sebastian Vettel remains (…)

Sebastian Vettel has remained fastest at the Buddh International Circuit in preparation for Sunday’s 60-lap Indian Grand Prix, after the second 90 minute practice session. The reigning World Champion was this time followed home by team-mate Mark Webber, with the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso once again 3rd fastest.

The afternoon session began in much clearer conditions than the morning, with the early morning mist clearing substantially in the gap between the two sessions. Kamui Kobayashi was the first driver to take to the track as the session got underway, and was instantly followed by many other drivers eager to take to the track. Unlike the opening morning session, several drivers began to immediately set timed laps with Romain Grosjean setting the initial pace.

The Frenchman improved upon his time at the top with a 01:29.794, before the Toro Rosso of Daniel Ricciardo momentarily went fastest before spinning at turn 16 a little later. Whilst the Australian driver rejoined the circuit, fellow countryman Mark Webber set the pace with a 01:28.847. However, the Aussie’s reign at the top was short-lived as Jenson Button and then Sebastian Vettel stormed to the top as the times quickly began to tumble, with the latter setting a 01:28.064 in his familiar dominancy.

Eventually the Ferrari duo of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso took to the track, with the latter immediately asserting his authority over proceedings with a 01:27.785. The Spaniard then traded fastest laps at the top with the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, however Alonso finally displaced the Briton with a competitive 01:27.402.

As the session progressed, several drivers made minor errors as they continued their preparations for the weekend’s race. Felipe Massa spun after loosing the rear of the car through turn 11, only moments before Romain Grosjean did likewise at the same location after running wide and onto the astroturf through turn 10. Bruno Senna also spun through turn 3, after loosing control of the rear of his car with the Brazilian driver getting his first taste of the track this weekend after making way for Valtteri Bottas in the opening session.

Sebastian Vettel then stormed to the top of the timing sheets once again, with the Red Bull driver setting a 01:27.256. However, after becoming one of the first drivers to opt for Pirelli’s soft tyre compound, Kimi Raikkonen was able to shoot to the top with a 01:27.030 as the softer tyre compound quickly became the tyre of choice up and down the grid. Nico Rosberg then took command of the session for Mercedes, with the German driver also sporting the softer Pirelli tyre compound.

Felipe Massa then spun again through turn 9 after taking way too much kerb, this time spinning rearwards through the grass and gravel and subsequently destroying his tyres. Upon returning to the pits, the Brazilian’s session looked to be over as his Ferrari mechanics busied themselves around his machine, whilst he stood to the side looking forlornly on at his car. Nico Hulkenberg also spun through turn 9, in similar fashion to Felipe Massa. The German driver was able to also continue, despite flat-spotting his tyres in the process.

As the session drew to a conclusion, Championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel began swapping fastest times at the top, as both experimented with the soft Pirelli tyre compound for the first time. Mark Webber momentarily thwarted both his team-mate and Alonso, before Sebastian Vettel once again returned to the top with a 01:26.221. From then on, the field began carrying out long fuel runs in preparation for the race on Sunday, which meant Vettel’s time at the top remained unbeaten as the session drew to a close.

The drivers now have only one more hour of practice around the Buddh International Circuit tomorrow morning to prepare for the rest of the weekend, with qualifying taking place tomorrow after the final practice session. Red Bull look menacingly quick at the front, but once again it is believed both Ferrari, McLaren and even Lotus have competitive long run pace which could provide us with an intriguing 60-lap race on Sunday.

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Pos.DriverTeamTimeGapLaps
01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Renault 1.26.221 35
02 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault 1.26.339 +0.118 33
03 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1.26.820 +0.599 34
04 Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG 1.27.022 +0.801 38
05 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus Renault 1.27.030 +0.809 40
06 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1.27.131 +0.910 38
07 Jenson Button McLaren Mercedes 1.27.182 +0.961 24
08 Nico Hulkenberg Force India Mercedes 1.27.233 +1.012 39
09 Romain Grosjean Lotus Renault 1.27.397 +1.176 36
10 Bruno Senna Williams Renault 1.27.738 +1.517 36
11 Paul di Resta Force India Mercedes 1.28.004 +1.783 32
12 Sergio Perez Sauber Ferrari 1.28.178 +1.957 39
13 Michael Schumacher Mercedes AMG 1.28.222 +2.001 37
14 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.28.239 +2.018 37
15 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1.28.296 +2.075 23
16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber Ferrari 1.28.455 +2.234 40
17 Pastor Maldonado Williams Renault 1.28.596 +2.375 38
18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.29.167 +2.946 35
19 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham Renault 1.29.320 +3.099 43
20 Vitaly Petrov Caterham Renault 1.29.606 +3.385 22
21 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1 Cosworth 1.30.950 +4.729 37
22 Timo Glock Marussia Cosworth 1.31.113 +4.892 35
23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1 Cosworth 1.31.372 +5.151 20
24 Charles Pic Marussia Cosworth 1.31.493 +5.272 31

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