F1 practice LIVE: Max Verstappen fastest in second practice ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc
Follow all the build-up to first practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton returns to the scene of the toughest moment of his career as the 2022 F1 season concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
The Mercedes driver - who has one more shot at preserving his year-on-year win record in Formula 1 - missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title in 2021 in thrilling and controversial circumstances at Yas Marina, as Max Verstappen benefited from a botched safety car and lapped cars procedure to overtake Hamilton on the final lap.
Verstappen has cruised to a second world title this year but comes into the season finale under a dark cloud, after disobeying team orders in not allowing Sergio Perez to pass him in the closing stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday.
Perez is level on points with Charles Leclerc in the battle for second place in the World Championship, while Mercedes are just 19 points off Ferrari in the Constructors’ Standings after George Russell led a one-two finish at Interlagos.
Follow F1 updates live with The Independent - FP1 starts at 10am (GMT)
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Carlos Sainz and George Russell both run into traffic as they attempt to record more flying laps. Most of the cars are out there now, getting as much time and data recorded as possible.
The sun has fully gone down now and the night sky is creeping in over the circuit which will cool the track a touch.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have now switched up and put on the slicks. Russell shoots up to second place just +0.152 after his first fast lap on the soft tyres.
Hamilton lands fourth on the leaderboard.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Sebastian Vettel locks up his Aston Martin and has to bail into the run-off area. The German is down in 12th place with a quickest time of 1:26.395.
He’ll be hoping to improve on that before the end of the session. Just under 20 minutes to go.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Max Verstappen finds even more pace to push the Dutchman to a time of 1:25.335 on the soft tyres. Charles Leclerc remains in second, Sergio Perez is third and Esteban Ocon has dropped to fourth.
All the drivers at the top of the leaderboard are out on the soft tyres now yet both Mercedes still persist on the mediums.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Verstappen set his quick lap on the soft tyres. “My brake pedal is really bad,” he says over the radio after crossing the line.
Mick Schumacher has an issue for Haas. He hits the apex on one of the corners (turn six) I think and radios the team requesting a check of the floor.
Abu Dhabi Grand Pix - FP2
Lewis Hamilton finishes his first flying lap and lands seventh on the leaderboard about seven tenths of a second behind first placed. Charles Leclerc.
But hang on.... here comes Max Verstappen. He is rocketing around the track looks set to jump above Leclerc.
Yes, he does! 125.449 for the Red Bull which is 0.5 second quicker than the Ferrari.
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