FP2: Vettel has a slight edge over Alonso

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FP2: Vettel has a slight edge over Alonso

Published on 10 May 2013 16:31
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By: Rob Veenstra

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull took their customary first place as the second free practice for Sunday's Formula 1 Gran Premio de España 2013 was held in dry conditions on Friday afternoon. But the reigning champion was pushed all the way by Fernando Alonso, whose Ferrari ended the hour-and-a-half session just 0.017s adrift.

As all teams were able to complete meaningful running after this morning's rain, Vettel initially played second fiddle to team mate Mark Webber before a 1m 22.808s lap on the medium Pirelli tyres put him at the top of the leader board. On similar rubber Alonso stopped the clocks in 1m 22.825s with Webber right behind on 1m 22.891s.

Kimi Raikkonen didn't quite manage to join them, but was up there for Lotus with 1m 23.030s, which left him ahead of Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari on 1m 23.110s and Lewis Hamilton in the leading Mercedes on 1m 23.140s. The Englishman had an off-course moment early in the session, but was able to edge out team mate Nico Rosberg, who lapped in 1m 23.398s.

Behind them, Force India's recent good form continued as Adrian Sutil took eighth place with 1m 23.840s and Paul di Resta 10th with 1m 24.104s. The Scot had to stop just past the pits with 20 minutes left to run after his VJM06 threw the tread off its left-rear medium Pirelli as he exited the last corner.

Between them, Jean-Eric Vergne continued Toro Rosso's strong showing from FP1, with ninth-fastest 1m 24.058s. His team mate, Daniel Ricciardo, was 11th on 1m 24.175s, chased by Jenson Button's lead McLaren on 1m 24.306s, Sergio Perez's sister car on 1m 24.854s, and Valtteri Bottas's Williams on 1m 24.888s.

Nico Hulkenberg dropped to 15th for Sauber on 1m 25.167s, followed by Williams' Pastor Maldonado on 1m 25.321s, Esteban Gutierrez on 1m 25.441s in the other Sauber, Romain Grosjean in his troubled Lotus on 1m 25.851s and Giedo van der Garde in the revamped Caterham on 1m 25.963s. Right behind him was Marussia arch-rival Jules Bianchi on 1m 26.078s, while their respective partners brought up the rear. Charles Pic lapped in 1m 26.930s from Max Chilton on 1m 26.970s. (Formula1.com)

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F1 News Fernando Alonso Jenson Button Valtteri Bottas Felipe Massa Romain Grosjean Pastor Maldonado Daniel Ricciardo Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Sergio Perez Esteban Gutierrez Lotus F1 Mercedes Sauber Williams Pirelli McLaren Force India Ferrari Marussia