The rain started to fall between the first and second practice sessions, and although it eased off a bit at the beginning of the second session, it quickly became more intense.
As a result, the teams decided not to do any practice, as it seems the forecast for the race has changed from wet to dry, making any wet practice in FP2 pointless.
In the end, only a few drivers ventured out on track, and it was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who set the fastest time. However, this time is essentially meaningless.
Verstappen and Red Bull regained their dominance in the first practice session for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, with the Dutchman and his teammate Perez setting the fastest times ahead of Sainz in the Ferrari.
The only notable incident was a crash involving Logan Sargeant, which caused some anxiety for the Williams team as they do not have a spare chassis. This brought back memories of the nightmare in Melbourne and the concern that the chassis may be damaged.
Daniel Ricciardo will return to his car in FP2 after making way for Japanese rookie Ayumu Iwasa. This puts Ricciardo at a disadvantage as he is already struggling and could use every available minute in the car.
Ricciardo announced before FP1 that he will receive a new chassis for the next race in China in an attempt to address his performance issues.
Four drivers, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Yuki Tsunoda, and Esteban Ocon, have new power units for this weekend. However, none of them will receive a penalty.
Hamilton’s power unit failed during the Australian GP, and Mercedes confirmed it could not be recovered. The team attributed the failure to a “quality process issue” rather than a specific design problem.
Right before FP2, Williams announced that Sargeant would not participate in the session, as the team would not have enough time to rebuild his car.
Due to the extensive damage on Sargeant’s car, he will not take part in FP2. The team will continue repairs in time for tomorrow’s Free Practice session.
The rain continued to fall during FP2, which had a track temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and an ambient temperature of 14 degrees.
Although the pit lane was open and the session had been given the green light, no cars came out of the garages, as most drivers were not even in their cars.
It seems that the weather forecast for Sunday’s race has changed from rain to dry conditions, making any wet practice in FP2 pointless.
After 13 minutes, Hamilton was the first driver to venture out on track with medium tires on his W15. He completed an installation lap and then returned to the pits.
Ricciardo, who did not participate in the first practice session, was eager to get some laps in and noted that the rain was intensifying. He was also on medium tires.
As the sky darkened, the rain worsened. After 20 minutes, there was still no action on track, except for a few laps from Hamilton and Ricciardo.
Halfway through the session, Piastri went out on track and reported that it wasn’t very wet.
Ricciardo and Tsunoda soon joined the track on intermediate tires, followed by Albon in the Williams. Tsunoda set the fastest time and continued to improve.
The Saubers also got into action, but quickly returned to the pits after an installation lap, as teams were hesitant to do any running and wanted to save their tires.
With ten minutes remaining, Zhou went out on track for the second time, followed by teammate Bottas. The Saubers returned to the pits after an installation lap.
The TV images showed the other team garages relaxed, chatting and unwinding, as it was clear they had no intention of going out on the track.
However, with six minutes remaining, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg went out with soft tires on their cars.
Albon, in the Williams, reported after an out lap that the track was ready for slick tires. Piastri also went out again in the last three minutes, with soft tires.
In the final minute, Hamilton joined the action with soft tires on the Mercedes, while Leclerc and Sainz also ventured out for a lap on soft tires.
A replay showed Norris losing control of his McLaren at Turn 2 in the final moments of the session, as the drivers continued to practice some race starts.
Report in progress…
© 2024
The world of sports is always full of surprises and twists, and this year was no different. From the thrilling World Cup final to the incredible performances at the Olympics, fans were treated to unforgettable moments. In this article, we will look back at some of the sports highlights of 2024.
The FIFA World Cup was an event that captivated the entire world. With exciting games and talented teams from around the globe, fans were treated to matches full of emotion. The final, contested between Brazil and Germany, was a true spectacle. After a tense game, Brazil emerged victorious and took home the coveted trophy.
At the Olympics, athletes showcased their talent and dedication in pursuit of glory. The swimming competitions were particularly thrilling, with world records being broken and fierce battles for the podium. Special mention to Brazilian swimmer Isabella Silva, who won two gold medals and one silver.
In the world of tennis, young talent Rafael Mendes surprised everyone by winning the famous Wimbledon tournament. At just 19 years old, he defeated experienced and established players, showing that the future of the sport is in good hands.
In motorsport, the season was full of excitement and adrenaline. Driver Lewis Hamilton won his seventh world title, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record. His skill and determination make him one of the greatest names in Formula 1 history.
In the world of basketball, the United States team dominated the Olympic Games, bringing home the gold medal. With talented players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, it was no surprise to see the American team shining on the court.
These were just some of the sporting moments that marked the year 2024. With so many exciting events and talented athletes, it is clear that the world of sports will continue to surprise us in the coming years.
