As in Saudi Arabia, Ferrari made the time with more downforce in the corners, while Red Bull has an advantage at top speed.
Vettel could only watch the second practice session.
For Sebastian Vettel, the comeback after surviving the corona infection did not go as desired. Already in the first free practice he had to park his Aston Martin-Mercedes with engine problems.
“Of course I would have liked to drive more,” says the German, who had to reach for the fire extinguisher beforehand. “Unfortunately we didn’t manage to get the car ready in time for the second practice session. The engine should be fine but the plan is to change it.”
However, Vettel is threatened with trouble because he drove a scooter across the track back to the pit lane. That is forbidden – especially with a helmet that the Hessian only wore loosely on his head. The German shrugs his shoulders when asked: “Somebody gave me the scooter and I’m off. I didn’t ride fast, I’m faster on my bike.” Nevertheless, the race commissioners fined him 5,000 euros.
Before the third round of the season this Sunday (7:00 a.m. CEST / Sky), Leclerc (45 points) leads ahead of Sainz (33) and Verstappen (25)
2. Free practice result
2. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull +0.245s
3. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) – Ferrari +0.398
4. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Alpine +0.559
5. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull +0.680
6. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine +0.864
7. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) – Alfa Romeo +1.077
8. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren +1.122
9. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpha Tauri +1.164
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) – McLaren +1.225
11. George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +1.234
12. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri +1.446
13. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +1.543
14. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin +1.633
15. Zhou Guanyu (China) – Alfa Romeo +2.085
16. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) – Haas +2.213
17.Alexander Albon (Thailand)-Williams +2.934
18. Mick Schumacher (Gland/Switzerland) – Haas +2.996
19. Nicholas Latifi (Canada) – Williams +3,329
20. Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim) – Aston Martin – (1st lap)
