Winter Test Day 2: Bottas finally in the lead

This second day of winter testing witnessed a battle between Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri and Lando Norris’s McLaren to determine who would set the fastest time of the day. With 40 minutes remaining, the Frenchman seemed to be the winner of this fight with a time of 1’30’413 but ultimately it was Valtteri Bottas’s Mercedes that came to spoil the party by clocking a time 2 tenths faster.

The winner of the 2020 Italian Grand Prix also had a real battle on track with Nicholas Latifi’s Williams as both drivers were on the same lap.

After a difficult first day of winter testing for Valtteri Bottas due to a gearbox issue with his Mercedes, this day was a redemption for the Finn who set the fastest time of the day and completed a total of 58 laps.

Same scenario for Aston Martin who, following a complicated morning also due to gearbox issues, managed to bounce back this afternoon thanks to Lance Stroll’s efforts. The Canadian completed 71 laps and finished 3rd in the time sheet.

It was a puzzle afternoon for Red Bull mechanics who had to rebuild Sergio Perez’s engine hood, which had come off in 1,000 pieces when he left the slipstream of the car in front of him. An incident that tarnishes a very good day for the Mexican who completed no less than 117 laps.

The most productive drivers of the day were Nicholas Latifi who completed 132 laps in his Williams, Fernando Alonso 128 and Antonio Giovinazzi 125.