Free 2: Sebastian Vettel remains fastest at India

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

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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