FP2: Bottas tops close second practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Great-Britain, Silverstone Circuit

While Valtteri Bottas got bettered at the very end of FP1 by Pierre Gasly, the Finn continued to stay at the forefront throughout the entire second practice session.

The Finn’s FP2 session was then compromised with a car issue that sprung 30 minutes before the end. He emerged with a few minutes remaining but completed 25 laps compared to Hamilton’s 35.

Bottas was backed up by Lewis Hamilton who was second fastest, though the latter didn't seem particularly happy with that "defeat", noting he'd be "digging deep overnight" to find possible improvements.

Such improvement may be much needed, as both Ferraris were also close behind in third and fourth. Behind them was Pierre Gasly who continued to perform strongly in the Red Bull, once again faster than teammate Max Verstappen who set the 7th fastest time.

Sandwiching Verstappen are both McLarens, with Lando Norris the faster of the orange cars. Alexander Albon put in a strong performance for Toro Rosso in 9th while Sergio Perez completed the top 10.

Long runs were cut short with just under 15 minutes of the session remaining as 14th-place Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault stopped at the Maggots-Becketts sequence, triggering a Virtual Safety Car. Competitive in FP1, Renault ended up towards the back of a crowded midfield in the afternoon session, Nico Hulkenberg 15th a place behind his team mate.

For Romain Grosjean, a troubled Friday of running continued. The Frenchman was sidelined for about half the session with a suspected hydraulic leak.