2019 Russian GP, Ferrari second practice report: Charles P2, Sebastian P5. Ferrari second practice report.

Max Verstappen topped the timesheets for Red Bull in second practice for the Russian Grand Prix as Mercedes struggled for pace in Sochi. After finishing a narrow P2 behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in FP1 at the Sochi Autodrom, Verstappen turned the tables in the afternoon session as he pipped Charles Leclerc to top spot by three-tenths of a second.

The Monegasque driver took second place for Ferrari ahead of Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, both of whom struggled to contend with the pace of the lead runners through FP2 despite appearing to get clear Soft tyre runs. Scuderia Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel also had a difficult session as mistakes on his short runs left him fifth overall, one second behind Verstappen.

Pierre Gasly was the leading midfield driver for Toro Rosso in sixth ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez, while Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll took eight and ninth respectively. Lando Norris completed the top 10 for McLaren.

Albon could only finish 11th for Red Bull after damage to the floor of his car forced the team to complete some mid-session repairs, limiting track time for the Anglo-Thai driver.

Final practice will begin at 12:00 local time on Saturday

2019 FORMULA 1 RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX – FREE PRACTICE 2 RESULTS

1 Max Verstappen NED Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda 1m33.162s
2 Charles Leclerc MON Scuderia Ferrari + 0.335s
3 Valtteri Bottas FIN Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport + 0.646s
4 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport + 0.798s
5 Sebastian Vettel GER Scuderia Ferrari + 1.039s
6 Pierre Gasly FRA Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda + 1.809s
7 Sergio Perez MEX SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team + 1.836s
8 Nico Hulkenberg GER Renault F1 Team + 1.864s
9 Lance Stroll CAN SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team + 2.014s
10 Alexander Albon THA Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda + 2.054s
11 Lando Norris GBR McLaren F1 Team + 2.061s
12 Daniil Kvyat RUS Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda + 2.175s
13 Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas F1 Team + 2.189s
14 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Renault F1 Team + 2.208s
15 Kimi Raikkonen FIN Alfa Romeo Racing + 2.212s
16 Romain Grosjean FRA Haas F1 Team + 2.431s
17 Carlos Sainz ESP McLaren F1 Team + 2.473s
18 Antonio Giovinazzi ITA Alfa Romeo Racing + 2.842s
19 George Russell GBR ROKiT Williams Racing + 3.623s
20 Robert Kubica POL ROKiT Williams Racing + 4.676s