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Charles Leclerc tops FP2 as Lewis Hamilton causes red flag at Zandvoort

16:10, 03 Sep 2021

byCameron Smith

Charles Leclerc put a spanner in the works by topping the timing sheet in free practice two ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. The Mongasuqe driver, who secured pole positions at Monaco and Baku, was the quickest driver in the afternoon, during a session punctuated by two red flags. The second of which was caused by Nikita Mazepin, but the more high-profile incident was Lewis Hamilton's issue.

The seven-time world champion had a power unit issue early on in the session, which led to him pulling to the side of the track, and abandoning the session. The Brit completed just three laps in FP2, and his issue caused a delay, which reduced the running available to every driver.

While Hamilton wasn't able to get his reconnaissance of the track, his title rival Max Verstappen was able to get a better understanding of the circuit, completing a total of 25 laps as he finished down in fifth place in the standings.

Ahead of him came the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, who was second, Esteban Ocon in third, and Valtteri Bottas in fourth.

However, during the race runs, Verstappen looked impressive as ever, and was consistently putting in quick lap times.

Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Sebastian Vettel rounded off the top 10.

As it happened

A five minute delay to the session ensured FP2 began at 14:05, with Kimi Raikkonen, fresh from his retirement announcement, the first car out on track. In fact, thanks to a disrupted morning session, every car except Sebastian Vettel, who needed work to his Aston Martin, came straight out.

Valtteri Bottas went right to the top of the standings, but after just minutes of the session starting, Lewis Hamilton suffered a power unit issue, claiming he was "losing power". He pulled to the side of the track, and with his Mercedes stranded, the session was red flagged.

Upon the restart of the session, every car went back out on track, knowing how crucial it is to get time on the car around a new circuit. The usual favourites Verstappen and Bottas went into P1 and P2, before Esteban Ocon pulled out a stellar lap to go quickest of all. Even with two purple sectors, Bottas wasn't able to displace Ocon from top spot. The Frenchman was joined in the top three by his teammate Fernando Alonso who went third fastest.

Home favourite Verstappen then set about beating Ocon's time, but he was forced to back off his fast lap by yet another red flag. This time it was caused by Nikita Mazepin spinning at turn 11, and beaching his Haas in the gravel.

FP2 then restarted, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz moving into P1 and P2; Ferrari's car looked absolutely switched on around the Zandvoort circuit, and they could prove to be a dark horse this weekend.

Several cars then started race runs, heading out for consecutive laps to gain some valuable data for their teams.

With drivers halting their qualifying runs, it meant Leclerc, Sainz, and Ocon ended the session in the podium places, a pleasant surprise.