Alonso Tops Second Practice in Jeddah Amid Drama

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso showcased his prowess under the floodlights of the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix, clinching the top spot in the second practice session. Earlier, Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen had set the pace in the afternoon session.

Alonso’s impressive lap of one minute 28.827 seconds positioned him at the forefront, with Mercedes’ George Russell trailing by 0.230 seconds. Verstappen secured the third spot, 0.331 seconds adrift from Alonso’s blistering pace.

The session encountered a brief delay due to loose drain covers, reminiscent of previous incidents during testing in Bahrain and Las Vegas. However, the issue was swiftly addressed, allowing the practice to proceed without further interruption.

Notably, seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton faced penalties during the session, contributing to the day’s drama.

Alonso, who had secured the second position in the initial session, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. However, he remained cautious, acknowledging the variance between practice and qualifying sessions.

Russell echoed Alonso’s sentiments, noting slight discrepancies in the car’s performance but expressing optimism for the upcoming sessions.

As Formula One gears up for its second round of the record-breaking 24-race season at Jeddah’s Corniche circuit, the timing of the event has been adjusted to accommodate the commencement of Ramadan.

Verstappen, reflecting on the day’s events, remained confident heading into qualifying, anticipating tight competition.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also showcased competitive performances, securing fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mercedes’ Hamilton faced repercussions for obstructing Williams’ Logan Sargeant during the session, resulting in a fine for the team.

Hamilton collected a warning from stewards for blocking Williams’ Logan Sargeant in the second session, with Mercedes fined 15,000 euros ($A25,000).

With the stage set for a thrilling weekend of racing, the drivers and teams are poised for intense battles on the track as they vie for supremacy in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.