Hamilton stays ahead in second practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Austria, Red Bull Ring

Lewis Hamilton continued to be fastest in the second free practice session at Spielberg, Austria. The Mercedes driver topped the morning session as well, and was this time 0.147s faster than his championship rival Sebastian Vettel.

As the duo expect another close fight at Austria, Valtteri Bottas is closest in third, ahead of both Red Bulls who were, contrary to proceedings in the morning session, closely matched.

The second Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen was already more than 6 tenths down on the pace setter, despite having complete 54 laps, becoming the most active driver of the session.

Seventh places Keving Magnussen was more than a second down on Hamilton, but faster than Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg and the second Haas of Romain Grosjean.

Together, they made the top 10 complete, surprisingly both dropping all cars of Toro Rosso, Force India and Williams down to the second half of the ranking.

Jolyon Palmer meanwhile endured another dismal session as he completed just 7 laps, ahead only of both Saubers who were again slowest, just like in FP1.