Germany – Free Practice 2: Rosberg and Mercedes dominate again!

This morning, Nico Rosberg immediately made his mark on the first practice of the German Grand Prix by shattering the 2014 pole time with a 1:15.517.

This afternoon, under beautiful weather (25°C in the air, 42°C on the track), the 22 drivers will launch themselves again in the race against the clock. Esteban Gutierrez at Haas and Jolyon Palmer at Renault are back in their seats after giving them up to Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon this morning. The Mexican and the British driver waste no time in taking to the track.

In the first quarter-hour, all the drivers recorded a reference time, and it was Daniel Ricciardo who placed his Red Bull in first position with a time of 1:17.716, quite far from Nico Rosberg’s best time this morning.

Several drivers are going quite wide, off the racing line, in turn number 1, which forces the race direction to warn the teams to prevent the drivers of a possible penalty if the incident is repeated.

Another important point of the regulations following the controversy over the yellow flags at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Charlie Whiting, FIA delegate, announced that double yellow flags would be replaced by a red flag during qualifying sessions.

Red flags will replace double-waved yellows in #F1 qualifying sessions. https://t.co/zblYPb7Gto pic.twitter.com/wThOG4oPVX

— Autosport (@autosport) 29 juillet 2016

After half an hour of the session, the two Mercedes find themselves in the top two positions. Lewis Hamilton is ahead of Nico Rosberg by a few tenths. Track attendance is quite low, as is the presence of supporters in the stands. The financial difficulties of the German Grand Prix may not improve if the race does not attract many spectators…

The drivers decide to go back out with Super Soft tires. As a result, Kimi Räikkönen and then Nico Hülkenberg trade the fastest time before the Finn temporarily claims it with a 1.16.512. However, he doesn’t hold onto it for long as Rosberg tops them all with a 1.15.614. We’re starting to dangerously approach the fastest time of the morning!

Ba-da-Bing Ba-da-Boom!@nico_rosberg goes P1 (1:15.814)@LewisHamilton P2 (1:16.008)

Both times set on @pirellisport SuperSofts #F1

— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 29 juillet 2016

It’s mid-session, and the provisional standings are unsurprising as we find the two Mercedes in the first two positions, followed by the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, then Räikkönen, Hülkenberg, Button, Pérez, Alonso and Sainz completing the Top 10.

From now on, the drivers will focus on the preparation work for the race. The tanks are being filled and the Super Soft tires with red bands are out.

Meanwhile, a guest of honor appears on the control screens. It is Mick Schumacher, who is present for this German Grand Prix after participating midweek in a charity football match in tribute and support of his father, Michael, surrounded by many drivers including Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg, and Mika Hakkinen.

His dad and his uncle both won at Hockenheim

Great to see Mick Schumacher at the #GermanGP #F1istZurueck 🇩🇪 #FP2 pic.twitter.com/LPR0p0edyC

— Formula 1 (@F1) 29 juillet 2016

In the last quarter hour, no driver significantly improves their time and the clock doesn’t change. The participants on track are truly focusing on their race pace, and the session therefore ends once again with the best time from Nico Rosberg, who is ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel in his Ferrari.

Final timing screen for #FP2 at the #GermanGP pic.twitter.com/3OFCXhXYw6

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 29 juillet 2016