Mugello, Day 2: Grosjean fastest in morning session

Romain Grosjean fastest in glorious sunshine at Mugello!

After a miserable day weather-wise yesterday, the teams and drivers were greeted with glorious sunshine as they prepared for the second day of the Mugello test. Although the track was initially damp as the day got underway, Romain Grosjean was the fastest in the morning session as the teams tried to and make up for their lost time yesterday.

With Lotus opting to focus on only one driver for the remaining two days due to the changeable conditions, this meant Kimi Raikkonen will be absent from the Mugello test after D’Ambrosio drove yesterday.

Mark Webber was the first driver to set a timed lap on the second day, with a slow 02:20.133. The Australian driver, who has been linked with a move to Ferrari in 2013, will hand the Red Bull over to team-mate Sebastian Vettel for this afternoon. Bruno Senna then went quicker with a 01:53.242, on a track which still required the intermediate tyres. It was the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher who set the first competitive time of the day, with a 01:25.876. The 7-time World Champion completed only several laps yesterday afternoon, as the unrelenting rain played havoc with various teams plans.

The Lotus of Romain Grosjean then flew to the top, with a 01:24.152. The Frenchman remained at the top of the timing sheets for the rest of the session, further increasing his time to a 01:21.603 as the session wore on.

After Fernando Alonso topped the timing sheets yesterday, much to the adoration of supporting Tifosi, Felipe Massa was in the Ferrari today and slotted into 2nd place with a 01:22.257. Mark Webber then pipped the Brazilian driver to 2nd place, with a 01:21.997 as the session came to a close.

Gary Paffett is in the McLaren, after also having his track time impeded after yesterdays torrential rain. The British DTM driver ended the morning session 9th fastest, as rumors begin to gather momentum of McLaren testing the Mercedes “super-DRS” system.

Paul di Resta has assumed driving duties from Jules Bianchi at Force India, however he has yet to set a timed lap. The Silverstone based team have been plagued by hydraulic issues in the morning session. The British driver has, however, completed 7 un-timed laps so far today.

The afternoon session will Daniel Ricciardo, Timo Glock and reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel make their first track appearances of the Mugello test.

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