Cyclonic conditions have taken over the paddock this early afternoon; the rains are far too intense to allow anyone on the track for now.<\/p>\n
\nSession delayed! #JapaneseGP<\/a> #FP2<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cFlAymfBmE<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 6 octobre 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
At 2:15 PM (local time), the race management decided to send the safety car onto the track to assess the track conditions. Unsurprisingly, a new inspection will be conducted at 2:30 PM. For now, the only observable performances are those of paper beauties rolling down the pit lane.<\/p>\n
\nHey @SauberF1Team<\/a>, I see you’re taking up our boat race challenge! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f #JapaneseGP<\/a> #PinkPanthers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Q41Vhjbbct<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 6 octobre 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Also noteworthy is the impressive time recorded by a duck this afternoon, as it is the only one to have taken to the track so far.<\/p>\n
\nCould be one of those sessions…
SSF1: https:\/\/t.co\/xnnS79r8dN<\/a>
Blog: https:\/\/t.co\/uRfTBudj9G<\/a> #SkyF1<\/a> #JapaneseGP<\/a> #F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KN53EghdE7<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Sky Sports F1 \ud83c\udfce (@SkySportsF1) 6 octobre 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Following the inspection carried out at 2:30 PM with two reconnaissance laps by the safety car, the race management decided to allow the session to begin at 2:45 PM. The drivers will therefore start for a half-session. At the green light, no single-seater appears at the end of the pit lane, and at Red Bull, they seem even less hurried as both cars are without wheels and without a nose, on the stands.<\/p>\n
At Mercedes, there’s no question of going too fast either, Hamilton and Bottas stay in the garage’s cool room. The first to finally take to the track after 6 minutes is Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen, followed by Nico H\u00fclkenberg to assess the conditions in his turn. Both return after this lap while Jolyon Palmer goes out for a lap himself.<\/p>\n
Despite the opportunity given by race management to take to the track, the trend is to stay in the pits because the amount of water on the track is too great. Drivers take turns to perform a reconnaissance but do not go any further because the risks are too significant.<\/p>\n
Sebastian Vettel also took a short lap, followed by Esteban Ocon and Sergio P\u00e9rez, as well as Fernando Alonso. Finally, the first to take the plunge is the Frenchman. He records the first time of the session at 1:49.518, with P\u00e9rez following 1.827 seconds behind. Hamilton and Massa also take to the track.<\/p>\n
\nP1 for Esteban with 1:49.518, P2 for Checo with 1:51.345 – CALL THE WEEKEND NOW! #JapaneseGP<\/a> #PinkPanthers<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) 6 octobre 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In a flying lap, Lewis Hamilton easily takes the best time from Esteban by eight-tenths with a time of 1:48.719. Lance Stroll takes his turn to try his luck, and luck is on his side! The Canadian comes in too fast at turn 1 and goes straight, barely missing the tire wall.<\/p>\n
\nSTR wanders off track at Turn 1 #JapaneseGP<\/a> \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 #F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xQzW2RUGym<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) 6 octobre 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Despite his big scare, the driver with number 18 stays on the track to complete a few laps and improve his time and his sensations. With a clear improvement, he decides to return to the pit when he was more than a second faster, so he remains 5th.<\/p>\n
Ten minutes from the end, conditions seem to be worsening, Hamilton and Alonso decide to go for another lap but the amount of water being kicked up is far too much to drive normally. The drivers and teams now patiently wait for the session to end.<\/p>\n
The final standings, anecdotal, of the session:<\/b><\/p>\n
\nEND OF FP2: Only 5 drivers post lap times <\/p>\n
HAM \ud83d\udcf8
OCO
PER
MAS
STR<\/p>\n#JapaneseGP<\/a> \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 #F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JMzxlKEXtF<\/a><\/p>\n