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FP2 Japan Piastri fastest from Lewis in rain

FP2 Japan : Piastri fastest from Lewis in rain

05/04/2024

Following an initial trial session held under threatening weather conditions, the Japanese Grand Prix continued with the second free practice session of the day, concluding this Friday at Suzuka.

Rain fell between the two sessions, then eased off before showers resumed. Conditions not ruled out for Sunday’s race were thus experienced by the drivers.

Daniel Ricciardo reclaimed the wheel of his RB F1 VCARB 01, handed over to Ayumu Iwasa during the FP1. At Williams F1, Logan Sargeant destroyed the upgraded parts of his FW46, and will therefore revert to the previous version of the single-seater for the weekend’s remainder.

Regrettably for the American and his team, damage to the suspension and gearbox prevented him from participating in the second session, further complicating his situation.

The track was initially declared wet, and it was Lewis Hamilton who first ventured out, 13 minutes into the FP1. He promptly fitted the medium tires, as race direction eventually allowed slick tires.

After two laps, the British driver returned to the garage, leaving Daniel Ricciardo on track. However, the RB F1 driver, experiencing the circuit for the first time that weekend, reported intensifying rain over the radio and returned to the pits slowly.

Mid-session, Oscar Piastri and then Guanyu Zhou ventured out but immediately returned to the pits. Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda left the garages, with the Japanese driver setting the session’s first time at 1’42″304.

Ricciardo then posted a time nine-tenths slower than his teammate, followed by drivers making sporadic runs without setting times. Eventually, Piastri took the lead with a 1’39″105 less than 3 minutes before the session’s end.

The Australian then improved to 1’36″862, as many drivers hit the track on slick tires. Piastri continued with a 1’34″725, and Hamilton finished five-tenths behind despite leading in two sectors. Leclerc placed third.

Thus, the session provided little insight for this Friday at Suzuka, with drivers making limited progress in their weekend preparations, somewhat mitigating Sargeant’s frustration from not running.

2024 F1 Japanese Grand Prix – Free Practice Results (2)

Pos.DriverTeamTimeLaps
01Oscar PiastriMcLaren Mercedes MCL381:34.7257
02Lewis HamiltonMercedes W151:35.2266
03Charles LeclercFerrari SF-241:38.7604
04Yuki TsunodaRB Honda RBPT VCARB 011:40.9468
05Daniel RicciardoRB Honda RBPT VCARB 011:41.9139
06Lando NorrisMcLaren Mercedes MCL381:44.9773
07Carlos SainzFerrari SF-241:52.5793
08Nico HülkenbergHaas Ferrari VF-241:55.1795
09Valtteri BottasStake F1 Kick Sauber C441:56.0597
10Esteban OconAlpine Renault A5241:59.1133
11Guanyu ZhouStake F1 Kick Sauber C442:03.3177
12Alex AlbonWilliams Mercedes FW462:03.8215
13Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari VF-242:30.4724
14Max VerstappenRed Bull Honda RBPT RB20– :—.—0
15Logan SargeantWilliams Mercedes FW46– :—.—0
16Pierre GaslyAlpine Renault A524– :—.—0
17Sergio PérezRed Bull Honda RBPT RB20– :—.—0
18Fernando AlonsoAston Martin Mercedes AMR24– :—.—0
19Lance StrollAston Martin Mercedes AMR24– :—.—0
20George RussellMercedes W15– :—.—0

FP2 Japan : Piastri fastest from Lewis in rain. FP2 Japan : Piastri fastest from Lewis in rain

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