Lewis Hamilton was once again fastest for Mercedes during second practice at the Shanghai International Circuit.
The reigning world champion was four tenths quicker than Kimi Raikkonen, who continued Ferrari’s strong start to the season after winning the Malaysia Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
The start of FP2 saw Raikkonen complain of brake problems whilst team-mate Sebastian Vettel spun on the exit of turn four.
Red Bull and Renault looked to have an improved package in Shanghai as Daniel Ricciardo set third fastest time of the session, one second slower than pacesetter Hamilton.
Nico Rosberg made a mistake on his option tyre run thus was only fifth fastest.
The time delta between the yellow-banded option tyres and white-banded prime tyres was around the two-second mark which sets up an intriguing qualifying and race.
Valtteri Bottas set the seventh fastest time of the session whilst team-mate Felipe Massa was down in seventeenth.
The Brazilian caused the only red flag of the session as he locked his rear brakes heading up towards the turn nineteen hairpin. Like in Australia, Massa was unable to complete any race simulations.
Sauber’s Felipe Nasr was eighth fastest and was seven tenths quicker than team-mate Marcus Ericsson who struggled to get to grips with the Shanghai International Circuit.
McLaren continued to improve as both cars were inside the top 12, setting the tenth and twelfth fastest times respectively.
Force India continued to struggle as the Silverstone based team’s upgrade package will not arrive until the Austrian Grand Prix which takes place in June.
Images Courtesy of Mercedes F1 Team
