Free 2: Lewis Hamilton remains fastest in Montreal

Hamilton continues to shine in Montreal

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8 June 2012 - 21:45
Free 2: Lewis Hamilton remains (…)

Lewis Hamilton has remained quickest throughout the second practice session for this weekends Canadian Grand Prix, ending the session only +0.054 seconds ahead of the Championship leader Fernando Alonso and his Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa. Luckily for the teams and drivers the rain held off throughout the session, after early weather reports forecasted rain for the afternoon period.

It took only 14 minutes for the 2008 World Champion to return to the top of timing sheets, as Hamilton set a 01:15.895. This time was bettered shortly afterwards with a 01:15.439 before the Briton opted for the super-soft Pirelli compound as the session wore on. Whilst on the softer of the two tyre compounds, Hamilton was able to extend his lead further at the top with a 01:15.259. This time would keep the British driver fastest overall for the remainder of the session.

Championship leader Fernando Alonso ended the session 2nd overall, only just behind Lewis Hamilton on pace. The Spaniard nearly prematurely ended his session early on, after spinning whilst negotiating the tough turn 8 and 9 complex. However, unlike Heikki Kovalainen who spun at the same spot in practice one, Alonso was able to avoid the barriers and continue circulating.

Whilst one McLaren driver dominated at the top, the other was suffering yet another setback. Jenson Button had his first session of the day shortened due to an oil leak, and his second session was also impeded as his McLaren mechanics quickly changed his gearbox. However, Button was able to take to the track with only 18 minutes remaining, and ended the session 9th overall.

Bruno Senna became the first driver of the weekend to hit the Wall of Champions, as the Brazilian driver lost control of the rear of his car whilst entering the final chicane. This incident destroyed his new rear-wing, which Williams have brought especially to this particular race. The session was momentarily red flagged as the marshals retrieved the stricken Williams and cleared the track.

Heikki Kovalainen was able to take to the track after only 30 minutes of the session starting, after his Caterham mechanics completed a stellar performance of repairing the Finn’s car after his rather big shunt in practice 1. Kovalainen was able to finish 16th overall in the session, still ahead of his team-mate Vitaly Petrov.

After a satisfying start to the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to continue his momentum into qualifying tomorrow in preparation for Sunday’s race. A victory around here would make him the seventh different winner in the opening seven races of 2012, which would be a new record for the sport.

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Pos.DriverTeamTimeGapLaps
01 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1.15.259 43
02 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1.15.313 +0.054 36
03 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1.15.410 +0.151 39
04 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Renault 1.15.531 +0.272 44
05 Paul di Resta Force India Mercedes 1.15.544 +0.285 32
06 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber Ferrari 1.15.651 +0.392 37
07 Michael Schumacher Mercedes AMG 1.15.697 +0.438 32
08 Nico Hulkenberg Force India Mercedes 1.15.799 +0.540 39
09 Jenson Button McLaren Mercedes 1.15.812 +0.553 14
10 Nico Rosberg Mercedes AMG 1.15.878 +0.619 40
11 Sergio Perez Sauber Ferrari 1.15.898 +0.639 38
12 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault 1.15.907 +0.648 41
13 Pastor Maldonado Williams Renault 1.15.987 +0.728 39
14 Romain Grosjean Lotus Renault 1.16.360 +1.101 29
15 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus Renault 1.16.562 +1.303 33
16 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham Renault 1.16.981 +1.722 24
17 Bruno Senna Williams Renault 1.17.022 +1.763 22
18 Vitaly Petrov Caterham Renault 1.17.075 +1.816 41
19 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.17.124 +1.865 41
20 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso Ferrari 1.17.716 +2.457 34
21 Pedro de la Rosa HRT F1 Cosworth 1.18.908 +3.649 27
22 Timo Glock Marussia Cosworth 1.19.084 +3.825 40
23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1 Cosworth 1.19.378 +4.119 21
24 Charles Pic Marussia Cosworth 1.19.902 +4.643 18

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