Lewis Hamilton set the pace again in the second practice session but lap times were slower on a hotter track.
With surface temperatures nudging past 50C, Hamilton’s best effort on the soft tyres was almost four-tenths of a second quicker than he had managed in the first session. There was almost nothing in it between the two Mercedes drivers as Nico Rosberg lapped just three-hundredths of a second slower.
Ferrari did not use the soft tyres during the first session but having put them on for the first time in second practice they were unable to beat the Red Bulls. Daniel Ricciardo beat a frequently ragged-looking Max Verstappen to fifth, followed by Sebastian Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen, eighth, had to pit during his long run due to a braking problem.
Nico Hulkenberg was the only Force India driver in the top ten, Sergio Perez being over half a second slower than his team mate. Jenson Button was tenth, narrowly ahead of his team mate.
All eyes were on Fernando Alonso at the end of the session as his McLaren came to a stop at the circuit where it memorably broke down last year. This time instead of finding a deckchair he was given a view of a television monitor by a camera operator.
The Toro Rosso pair were next, Daniil Kvyat having been frustrated by braking and de-rating problems, especially at Juncao. Behind Perez was Romain Grosjean, another driver who was unhappy with his unhappy with his car’s balance.
Second practice visual gaps
Lewis Hamilton – 1’12.271
+0.030 Nico Rosberg – 1’12.301
+0.490 Valtteri Bottas – 1’12.761
+0.518 Felipe Massa – 1’12.789
+0.557 Daniel Ricciardo – 1’12.828
+0.657 Max Verstappen – 1’12.928
+0.731 Sebastian Vettel – 1’13.002
+0.776 Kimi Raikkonen – 1’13.047
+1.028 Nico Hulkenberg – 1’13.299
+1.301 Fernando Alonso – 1’13.572
+1.418 Daniil Kvyat – 1’13.689
+1.530 Carlos Sainz Jnr – 1’13.801
+1.647 Sergio Perez – 1’13.918
+1.803 Romain Grosjean – 1’14.074
+1.838 Kevin Magnussen – 1’14.109
+2.038 Felipe Nasr – 1’14.309
+2.046 Esteban Ocon – 1’14.317
+2.165 Jolyon Palmer – 1’14.436
+2.287 Esteban Gutierrez – 1’14.558
+2.424 Marcus Ericsson – 1’14.695
+2.687 Pascal Wehrlein – 1’14.958
Drivers more then ten seconds off the pace omitted.
2016 Brazilian Grand Prix
- Emotion of Brazil race was indescribable – Massa
- Verstappen dominates Brazil Driver of the Weekend
- Strong rating for Brazilian GP despite red flags
- Two years after Bianchi’s crash drivers are still unhappy with Pirelli’s wet tyres
- 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix team radio transcript
2016 F1 practice sessions
- Errors leave Hamilton behind Rosberg in final practice
- Rosberg edges Hamilton in second practice
- Mercedes comfortably ahead in first practice
- Two stoppages can’t keep Hamilton from top spot
- Mercedes wrap up Friday practice with almost a second in hand
Miane
11th November 2016, 18:20
I highly doubt Rosberg can win the title this weekend. I hope Sauber doens’t screw up Nasr’s car again he deserves a better team next year.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
11th November 2016, 19:41
Miane, I think you need to get the idea out of your head that Sauber are screwing up Nasr’s car. They are not. They will treat each driver equally. Although sometimes one will have an upgraded engine, which does give them a slight advantage. But it has pretty much always been Ericsson outperforming Nasr. But the team simply won’t be favoring Ericsson to help him do this at all.
To me, and many other people, Ericsson was outperforming Nasr from half way through 2015 to now. There have been very few stand out races by Nasr in that time. He has had bad luck but then so has Ericsson at times. But saying that the team have been screwing up Nasr’s car just isn’t true. As I said, weather he’s had an upgraded car or not, Ericsson still often does better than him.
Miane
12th November 2016, 4:59
At the last 2 weekends, Nasr had a very good car at friday sessions and they screwed it all changing all the setup for saturday. They are working exclusively for Ericsson for quite some time. Nasr always ends up with an undriveable car.
The Duke
11th November 2016, 20:12
Williams obviously running light to have Massa in the headlines for his final home race.
If Massa podiums this race, what will be obvious is that this sport is completely rigged.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
11th November 2016, 20:27
Yeah, completly obvious…
Sam A
11th November 2016, 20:28
He hasn’t had a podium all year, so baring a chaotic race, I won’t worry about it.
If you suspect this sport is completely rigged, why follow it? and then why come and post on a fan website? just turn off and go elsewhere.
The Duke
11th November 2016, 22:27
Oh I like rigged sports.
F1 is a billionaires playground and if they want to manipulate the product they own to mess with the basic masses that’s part of the glory of F1.
My point was if Massa podiums, even the lowest of the lowest common denominator fan should be able to recognize a rigged result.
What makes me want to turn off the sport is the pathetic fans that will hail it as a real result.