Rosberg silences Mercedes doubters in FP2

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F1 Grand Prix, GP Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuitsg

Mercedes, and Nico Rosberg in particular have silenced suggestions that Mercedes could be struggling similar to what happened to them last year at Singapore. Even though it's just Friday's running, the German's 0.275s advantage is a positive sign nonetheless.

Kimi Raikkonen was second fastest in the fastest Ferrari with FP1 pace-setter Max Verstappen third fastest in the Red Bull. The youngster was yet again marginally ahead of his team mate while Sebastian Vettel was 5th, already more than a second down on the pace setting Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton was less impressive and ended up in 7th. He did complete a number of scruffy laps on the ultrasoft tyres before hitting a hydraulic issue that would sideline him for the rest of the session.

The World Champion was fastest that both Toro Rosso's who were split by Fernand Alonso.

For Romain Grosjean meanwhile, it was another dreadful session. Having lost the entire first practice session due to a power unit issue, he got underway in FP2 but subsequently damaged his suspension, yet again requiring repairs on his car. The Frenchman ended the session with just 12 laps, adding to the 2 he managed to complete in FP1.

Results

Pos.No.DriverCarTimeGapLaps
16Nico RosbergMercedes1:44.152-34
27Kimi RäikkönenFerrari1:44.427+0.275s34
333Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Tag Heuer1:44.532+0.380s29
43Daniel RicciardoRed Bull Racing Tag Heuer1:44.557+0.405s26
55Sebastian VettelFerrari1:45.161+1.009s33
627Nico HulkenbergForce India Mercedes1:45.182+1.030s35
744Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:45.275+1.123s10
855Carlos SainzToro Rosso Ferrari1:45.507+1.355s33
914Fernando AlonsoMcLaren Honda1:45.779+1.627s30
1026Daniil KvyatToro Rosso Ferrari1:46.029+1.877s35
1111Sergio PerezForce India Mercedes1:46.063+1.911s26
1222Jenson ButtonMcLaren Honda1:46.574+2.422s30
1321Esteban GutierrezHaas Ferrari1:46.727+2.575s36
1419Felipe MassaWilliams Mercedes1:46.856+2.704s30
1577Valtteri BottasWilliams Mercedes1:46.960+2.808s30
1620Kevin MagnussenRenault1:47.161+3.009s30
1730Jolyon PalmerRenault1:47.166+3.014s34
1812Felipe NasrSauber Ferrari1:47.531+3.379s29
198Romain GrosjeanHaas Ferrari1:48.391+4.239s12
209Marcus EricssonSauber Ferrari1:48.487+4.335s32
2194Pascal WehrleinMrt Mercedes1:48.505+4.353s33
2231Esteban OconMrt Mercedes1:48.823+4.671s29