Free Practice 2 – Renault chases Hamilton

The young British driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in Free Practice 2 in China this afternoon. With his McLaren, the current championship leader was over three-tenths ahead of the Renault drivers. Fernando Alonso is second, seventy-thousandths ahead of Nelson Piquet Jr in Shanghai.

It was with an overcast sky but dry weather that the 20 Formula 1 drivers battled for the best time in the free practice sessions at the Shanghai circuit in China. Ultimately, just like in the first practice session, it was the Englishman Lewis Hamilton who was best prepared. He managed to stay ahead of the Renault F1 Team drivers by three tenths. Hamilton (McLaren) is already emerging as the favorite again this weekend for the penultimate Grand Prix of the season.

Barely had the session started when the world vice-champion was out setting the best time of the afternoon. In contrast, the Renault drivers kept everyone waiting. Nelson Piquet secured the second-best time just a few minutes before the end of the trials, right before his teammate, Fernando Alonso, ousted him to ultimately take on the role of Hamilton’s hunters.

Massa (Ferrari), his most serious rival for the 2008 drivers’ title, is seven-tenths behind the McLaren. He is only in sixth position, behind Trulli (Toyota) and Webber (Red Bull), in 4th and 5th places respectively. The Brazilian driver was notably hindered, like many other drivers today, by the tires, which are very difficult to understand on one of the most demanding circuits of the 2008 lineup.

Just behind Felipe Massa is the Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais, who achieved a fine 6th place in Japan last week. The driver from Le Mans has nonetheless pushed the limits of the circuit and his car several times, going off into the gravel twice at turn 2. Without major consequences. He’s literally sandwiched between the Ferraris, as it’s the reigning world champion, Kimi Räikkönen, who clocks in at the 8th fastest time.

Heidfeld is ninth in the first BMW Sauber. His teammate, Robert Kubica, is only 12th, admitting to having difficulty finding the right balance today. He is ahead of the second McLaren-Mercedes; Kovalainen’s.

Coulthard is 14th with the RB4, just a tenth ahead of Vettel’s Toro Rosso. The young German, like his teammate, ventured off-track in turn 2, but also in turn 13, one of the most challenging due to its long curve.

Kazuki Nakajima is this afternoon 16th with the Williams FW30. His teammate, Nico Rosberg, long 4th in the session, finishes in 10th position.

At the back of the pack, the Force India and Honda bring up the rear. Notably, the Force India have shown progress, now ahead of Honda in testing. Fisichella is the fastest among the last four drivers on the grid.

Results of Free Practice 2 – Chinese GP – Friday, October 17, 2008: