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There was a high
degree of track evolution on the Yas Marina circuit, especially during the
FP1 session. This meant that a number of drivers set faster times on a
harder compound compared to the softer ones that they ran previously, as
conditions improved. However, by the late afternoon – when FP2 was run, at a
similar time to qualifying and the race – track conditions had stabilised,
meaning that representative times were set on each compound.
The FP2 session was held from 17:00, with track temperatures falling
throughout the session by three degrees, and more than 10 degrees compared
to FP1. As expected, the ultrasoft proved to be ultimately quickest, setting
the fastest time of the day with Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes: 1m40.861s,
more than a second quicker than last year’s FP2 time (set on supersoft).
The smooth nature of the surface and the varying track conditions meant that
the speed differentials between the different compounds was reasonably
small, compared to other tracks. So far, around 0.8 seconds separate the
supersoft from the ultrasoft. Teams completed both race and qualifying
simulations, with the top two Mercedes separated by just 0.079s.
Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “As we expected, wear and
degradation is reasonably high on the softest compounds, due to the high
longitudinal acceleration and braking demands of this track. However, the
pattern depends very much on the state of the track, which has been changing
all day due to normal evolution and also falling temperatures in FP2. As a
result, drivers are chasing a moving target when it comes to defining set-up
and strategy, which adds an extra element to the challenge imposed by the
championship finale. Already we have seen some of the run plans today
influenced by the pre-event tyre choices from each driver, giving an insight
into individual strategies.”
Minimum prescribed tyre pressures: 21.5 psi (fronts) 20 psi (rears)
Pirelli fact of the day: Exactly 15 years ago today, Pirelli’s 2001 World
Rally Champion clinched the title on Rally Great Britain with Subaru. Four
years later, to the day, he lost his battle with a brain tumour. The Richard
Burns Foundation, supported by Pirelli, honours his memory and helps people
who are affected by brain illness or injury. For more information, visit
www.richardburnsfoundation.com
Spotted in the paddock: King Juan Carlos I of Spain. A keen motorsport fan
and friend of the Sainz family, Spain’s former monarch has been to a number
of grands prix already. |
FP1 - TIMES FP2 - TIMES
1 Hamilton 1m42.869s Soft 1 Hamilton 1m40.861s Ultrasoft
2 Rosberg 1m43.243s Ultrasoft 2 Rosberg 1m40.940s Ultrasoft
3 Verstappen 1m43.297s Soft 3 Vettel 1m41.130s Ultrasoft
FP1 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND
Soft Hamilton 1m42.869s
Supersoft Perez 1m44.155s
Ultrasoft Hamilton 1m43.051s
FP2 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND
Soft Rosberg 1m42.294s
Supersoft Raikkonen 1m42.257s
Ultrasoft Hamilton 1m40.861s
MOST LAPS BY COMPOUND
Soft Wehrlein 28 laps
Supersoft Bottas 22
UltraSoft Gutierrez 20
Tyre statistics of the day:
Soft Supersoft Ultrasoft
kms driven * 3631 988 1815
sets used overall ** 47 14 25
highest number of laps ** 28 22 20
* The above number gives the total amount of kilometres
driven in FP1 and FP2 today, all drivers combined.
** Per compound, all drivers combined.
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