Monaco – Free Practice 2: Only one under 1:13, Vettel steps up a gear

Step by step, the twenty drivers on the grid continued to find their footing in this second practice session. It was an opportunity for the drivers to work on race pace between the rails. Here more than elsewhere, the margin for error is nonexistent on this very particular track, as it is impossible to waste track time.

Favored compared to his fellow drivers, Lewis Hamilton made headlines during the lunch break by completing three laps aboard… the safety car! The lucky passenger next to him paid 60,000 euros (donated to a charity) for this unique moment.

A Few Minutes of Glory for Kvyat Like this morning, not a drop of water came to disrupt the drivers’ development program, which started with a bang for the two drivers who were disadvantaged this morning: Nico Hülkenberg and Marcus Ericsson (three laps each during FP1). But this time, only half of the competitors were on track in the opening minutes. It was a unique opportunity to see a McLaren-Honda temporarily at the top of the timesheet, with Stoffel Vandoorne.

Rookie on this track, Esteban Ocon was the first to touch the barrier. The Frenchman lost control of his car on the curb and hit the wall laterally, just before the Portier corner. The impact wasn’t severe enough to prevent him from continuing, but his suspensions suffered in the process.

Ocon into the barriers at Portier 💥

He makes it back to the pits but his mechanics look like they’re in for a busy afternoon 👨‍🔧 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/5yjItVMuwJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2017

Former teammate at Renault, Palmer, on the other hand, put his foot down just before the quarter-hour. No mistake for the 2015 GP2 champion but a motor issue forced him to park his vehicle in the runoff area.

In contrast in terms of performance, Daniil Kyvat created a surprise by surpassing the morning’s benchmark! With a time of 1:13.331, the Russian made a stunning impression and temporarily took the lead in the standings. His teammate kept up the pace, coming in second at three-tenths behind. The benchmark held throughout the first stint of the drivers. Only Max Verstappen came close, just 155 milliseconds away.

Meanwhile, the Ferrari and Mercedes drivers were equipped with super-soft tires. Lewis Hamilton complained about poor tire performance, raising concerns for his team. 19th in the provisional standings, Ericsson provided photographers with a spectacular understeer, sliding out of the Casino. The angle was sufficient to avoid a major crash, with the left-rear of the Sauber absorbing the impact.

Certainly in high spirits, the Red Bull-branded cars continued to lower their lap times. Daniel Ricciardo took the lead after half an hour of running, improving the record by fifty thousandths: 1:13.280.

The second stint could really begin: the Mercedes and Ferraris also switched to the softest tire compound. On his seventh flying lap, Kimi Räikkönen fell short by just three thousandths of Ricciardo. The mid-session standings offered the following snapshot. Apparently on race-like stints, the two Mercedes were only in eighth and ninth positions.

Vettel brings everyone together, Stroll embraces the rail

Ricciardo’s reference was shattered: Sebastian Vettel unleashed the horses with a time of… 1:12.759! The first driver in 1:12, the four-time world champion set a clear and precise gap: half a second ahead (+0.521 exactly). But the show wasn’t over: the Ferrari driver did better a few laps later: 1:12.720 this time.

And here’s further evidence of VET’s dominance this afternoon

Full house of FASTEST SECTORS for the four-time world champ#MonacoGP #FP2 pic.twitter.com/oyQsBhLpKI

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2017

Impeccable up to that point and having completed a long stint on ultra-soft tires, Lance Stroll experienced the first major crash of the weekend at the Massenet curve. Arriving with excessive speed, the accident was similar to Verstappen’s during the race last year: an early end to the session for the young Canadian and the first red flag of the day as a result.

Fortunately for everyone, the efficiency of the marshals allowed the green flag to be waved shortly after, for 30 minutes of track time. Some traffic jams prevented drivers from improving their times, including the Mercedes, still stuck in the middle of the pack.

WATCH: Lance Stroll hits the barriers during FP2 at the #MonacoGP 🇲🇨 pic.twitter.com/oooXumeMov

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 mai 2017

But obviously, the trend was mainly towards race simulations. Some drivers were more unfortunate than others, including Max Verstappen, who grumbled about the gear shifts of his RB13. But the Dutchman can be reassured: the tires could very well create surprises, as they seem indestructible. The drivers will certainly have the opportunity to extend their stints beyond forty laps this Sunday, even on ultra-soft tires.

The second session was coming to an end and the rankings were solidified, with a very strong performance from Sebastian Vettel. However, Mercedes’ strategy is surprising. We will have to wait for FP3 to have a clear idea of the state of the duel between the two teams. Among the good surprises, both Toro Rosso cars achieved an unprecedented ranking this season, promising an exciting continuation of the weekend.

Let’s also acknowledge the timing of Jenson Button, twelfth, just four hundredths behind Stoffel Vandoorne.

Here is the complete ranking of this session:

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (END OF FP2)@ToroRossoSpy on form in Monaco as Vettel tops the pile and Mercedes struggle#MonacoGP #FP2 🇲🇨 pic.twitter.com/0tr6LmyEbD

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 mai 2017

The first day in Monaco thus ends in this order. Until Saturday and the resumption of hostilities, stay connected to our website to follow the reactions of the various drivers!