Watch the Qatar GP across the weekend only on Sky Sports F1, with Qualifying at 2pm on Saturday
Last Updated: 19/11/21 3:34pm
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Ride onboard with Valtteri Bottas as he set the new fastest time during the second practice session ahead of the Qatar GP.
Max Verstappen outpaced Lewis Hamilton in second practice at the inaugural Qatar GP – but the title contenders finished third and fourth on the timesheet, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas ahead.
The opening day of F1 running on the Losail International Circuit, a track that proved dusty but incredibly smooth, saw Red Bull and Mercedes top one session apiece against the backdrop of rumbling off-track rows between the championship rivals.
After Verstappen led the morning timesheet – and then avoided a full stewards’ investigation into his driving against Hamilton when they battled for the lead in Brazil last week – it was Bottas who took over at the top in the evening under the circuit’s floodlights.
Posting a best lap on the soft tyres of 1:23.148, Bottas’ closest rival was actually AlphaTauri’s impressive Pierre Gasly who finished second-quickest in both of Friday’s sessions.
Verstappen’s third-quickest time was 0.350s slower than Bottas, while Hamilton was a further tenth away from his team-Mercedes mate.
“I’m off, so I’m definitely not close,” admitted Hamilton, who was even further off the leading pace in P1.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Sky F1: “You could see Valtteri was looking pretty sharp out there. I think there are a few areas we can improve…but generally a reasonable day for us.”
Lando Norris posted a strong fifth-quickest time for McLaren with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll sixth.
More to follow…