WATCH: Ride onboard with Hamilton in Free Practice 2 as he sets the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia
The sun had long set by the time FP2 came around, with the spectacular Jeddah Corniche Circuit illuminated by floodlights. As he had in FP1, Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Mercedes, unusually running quickest on the medium compound tyre.
Second practice was crucial, given it was the only session in which the drivers had a chance to sample the likely conditions they will face in both qualifying and the race. With the track cooling considerably, there was no time to lose, and all 20 drivers headed straight out.
Hamilton’s benchmark was set early on, and he was unable to better it despite switching to the soft compound tyres midway through the session. He wasn’t the only one – traffic became a bugbear of the entire field, with very few drivers getting a clean lap in on the red-marked soft compound tyre.
Ride onboard with the reigning world champion as he demonstrates just how quick this circuit is – and just how close you need to drive near the walls to set a decent lap time.
Next Up
Related Articles
Hamilton ‘finally’ feeling on top of his Ferrari after US GP
Facts and StatsA super seventh US win sees Verstappen cut title deficit
F1 announces extension of the US GP through 2034
Monday Morning DebriefCould Norris have fought Verstappen for US GP victory?
TremayneHow F1 returned to America 25 years ago
Hinchcliffe'Driving Haas' F1 car truly left me speechless'