FP2 REPORT | Mercedes shows serious speed, Russell tops standings

The second practice session of the 2022 Emelia Romagna Grand Prix weekend was a steady grind for most teams, getting the first dry running of the weekend after the downpours that hit the circuit for the entirety of yesterday. Mercedes showed impressive pace by topping their first session of the season.

Mercedes quick

After a struggle qualifying session where both Mercedes cars were eliminated in Q2, their performance has picked up significantly. No issues with the car were reported between the drivers, which is a massive improvement from nearly every session so far this season.

Amazingly, George Russell managed to lead the standings, topping the Red Bulls and the Ferraris and showing some impressive pace. Hamilton ended up in P4, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen.

After a season-long battle with understanding their own car, can Mercedes unlock the potential of their package?

Mclaren Mishaps

FP2 was a struggle session for Mclaren with both cars ending up in the garage and unable to set the needed laps in the first dry session of the weekend. For Daniel Ricciardo, his car never left the garage causing a grand total of zero laps to be logged. With no experience in the dry this weekend, the Australian may struggle in the Sprint Race.

For Norris it was a slightly more positive struggle, but only slightly. After a few laps on the board at the beginning of the session, Norris was forced back into the garage with reported brake system issues, leading him to sit out the rest of the session.

With the lack of dry-running experience, Mclaren's pain may continue into the Sprint Race.

Bottas issues continue

After having to pull over by the track with engine issues in Q3 of Qualifying yesterday, the Alfa Romeo of Valterri Bottas was stranded in the garage for the entire session, never leaving the pits. It is suspected to be related to the engine mishaps that plagued Bottas in yesterday's Qualifying session.

This means that the Finn will be starting the Sprint Race with no experience in the dry this weekend, which may prove to be a serious struggle.

Results:

P1 - George Russell

P2 - Sergio Perez

P3 - Charles Leclerc

P4 - Lewis Hamilton

P5 - Fernando Alonso

P6 - Carlos Sainz

P7 - Max Verstappen

P8 - Yuki Tsunoda

P9 - Pierre Gasly

P10 - Zhou Guanyu

P11 - Alexander Albon

P12 - Kevin Magnussen

P13 - Mick Schumacher

P14 - Lance Stroll

P15 - Sebastian Vettel

P16 - Esteban Ocon

P17 - Nicholas Latifi

P18 - Lando Norris

P19 - Daniel Ricciardo

P20 - Valtteri Bottas