Free 2: Schumacher quickest for Mercedes in China

As the second practice session got underway for this weekends Chinese Grand Prix, the teams were looking forward to a dry session after the damp and misty conditions of FP1. After only 8 minutes, 2008 World Champion of Lewis Hamilton continued from where he left off in FP1, going straight to the top of the timing sheets.

With many drivers’ setting their first initial laps of the medium Pirelli’s, it was reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel that was the first of the front runners to opt for the soft Pirelli tyres. The Red Bull driver shot straight to the top of the timing sheets, with his team-mate Mark Webber joining him in 2nd place.

Michael Schumacher then opted for the soft Pirelli tyres, along with Lewis Hamilton as they too went to the top of the timing sheets. Hamilton was setting blistering sector times in comparison to Schumacher, but lost out on the final corner and only managed 2nd, +0.172 off the 7-time World Champion.

Timo Glock had an unfortunate end to his second practice session, as the German lost his front-wing heading into turn 1, which subsequently saw the Marussia fly into the gravel before coming to rest against the barrier.

Tomorrow sees the drivers’ take to the track in one final practice session before the all-important qualifying hour takes place which will determine the grid for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.

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